zi3 ji3恣意

Jyutpingzi3 ji3

Yaleji yi

副詞

Definition

Indulgently, recklessly, or wantonly.

writtendescriptionsother

How it's used

Carries a strong negative connotation of behaving without regard for consequences or social norms. It is often used to describe actions that are selfish, impulsive, or destructive. While it functions as an adverb, it is frequently paired with verbs related to spending, criticizing, or acting out.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日zi3恣ji3意fai1揮fok3霍，cin2錢hou2好faai3快sai2使saai3晒。

He indulgently squanders money all the time, and it runs out very quickly.

m4唔hou2好zi3恣ji3意pai1批ping4評jan4人，jiu3要nam2諗haa6下jan4人dei2哋gam2感sau6受。

Don't criticize people recklessly; you need to think about how others feel.

Common phrases

zi3恣ji3意mong5妄wai4為

to act waywardly

zi3恣ji3意fai1揮fok3霍

to squander recklessly

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a neutral word meaning 'freely' or 'at will'. Unlike 隨便, which can be positive or neutral, 恣意 almost always implies a lack of restraint that is socially unacceptable or morally questionable.