Scoobyqueen Posted April 7, 2009 at 07:57 AM Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 at 07:57 AM I think this expression 随意性强 may often occur together (all four characters) is that right? I am unsure as to how to translate it. Some dictionaries suggest that 随意性 means haphazard (as noun) but I was wondering if there was a better translation/idiomatic expression that would cover it. Is it not mainly used for people or managers who change their mind a lot and who have no clear management structure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semantic nuance Posted April 7, 2009 at 08:17 AM Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 at 08:17 AM Could you please give the context when 'hazaphard" is used. There're many expressions to mean changing mind a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobyqueen Posted April 7, 2009 at 08:29 AM Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 at 08:29 AM I wouldnt translate it as haphazard hence my question. The particular context I was looking at and which prompted the question is: 公司管理是以人治为主，管理规范，随意性强 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanlink Posted April 7, 2009 at 08:29 AM Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 at 08:29 AM Context always helps of course, but if you split it up, the meaning probably becomes clearer. The 性 properly refers to 性格 (xìnggé) 'nature, disposition', and 隨意 is the adjective meaning 'do as one pleases'. It probably refers to someone who 'just does as he or she pleases', in this translation, the 'just' gives the idea of 強. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeyah Posted April 7, 2009 at 08:48 AM Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 at 08:48 AM (edited) Right, 强 is here to "enhance" the 随意性. Some examples of the idiomatic use of the phrase for you: Referring to people 随意性强 carries the meaning of capricious, subjective, overbearing or despotic. It's other meanings include unreasonable as in 随意性太强(ref. to criteria 什么的标准:收费/消费 标准随意性太强) or selection, choice being (too) random as in 选择 随意性强 random selection, arbitrary choice, or way of doing things as in 方式随意性强, even one's individual taste in fashion as in 服装, 服饰 随意性很强 referring to casual wear, unconventional clothing etc. EDIT: In the context you provided my best guess would be that 随意性 may imply creativity 具有创造性, similar to the meaning in: 表演随意性很强 or 工作方式/表演有点太随意了 leaving plenty of room for improvisation (& creativity) Edited April 7, 2009 at 09:59 AM by leeyah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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