Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Arbitrary" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "arbitrary", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
専横
せんおう (sen'ou)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
専断
せんだん (sendan)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "arbitrary" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 専横 and 専断.
In Japanese, 専横 (せんおう (sen'ou)) is typically associated with "arbitrary rule, despotism, tyranny, autocratic (behavior)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Behaving in an arbitrary, authoritarian, and dictatorial manner without regard for others' opinions or rules. 他の意見や規則を無視し、自分勝手に振る舞うこと。独裁的。.
On the other hand, 専断 (せんだん (sendan)) maps to "arbitrary decision; acting on one's own authority; autocracy" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Used when someone makes a decision or acts unilaterally without consulting others or without proper authorization, often carrying a negative connotation of disregarding others' opinions or rules. （他者の意見や規則を無視して、独断で決定したり行動したりする際に使われ、否定的な意味合いを含むことが多い。）. A literal translation of "arbitrary" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "専横"
社長の専横な振る舞いに、従業員たちは不満を募らせた。
Employees grew increasingly dissatisfied with the president's arbitrary behavior.
Bilingual Context for "専断"
彼は会議で皆の意見を聞かずに専断したため、反発を招いた。
He made an arbitrary decision in the meeting without listening to everyone's opinions, which led to backlash.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "社長の ＿＿＿ な振る舞いに、従業員たちは不満を募らせた。" (Meaning: "Employees grew increasingly dissatisfied with the president's arbitrary behavior.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "専横" fits here because it means "arbitrary rule, despotism, tyranny, autocratic (behavior)" in the context of: "Employees grew increasingly dissatisfied with the president's arbitrary behavior.". "専断" represents "arbitrary decision; acting on one's own authority; autocracy".