Arbitrary

词性:adj
音标:[ˈɑːrbɪtreri]
释义:任意的,随机的,不按照规定,规矩的,武断的,专政的。Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system
Synonyms: capricious, random, chance

Something that’s arbitrary seems like it’s chosen at random instead of following a consistent rule. Team members would dislike their coach using a totally arbitrary method to pick starting players.

Even though arbitrary comes from a word meaning “judge” (arbiter), that doesn’t mean judges are always fair. Calling a decision-maker arbitrary is usually a negative thing, suggesting the person is making rules based on whim rather than justice. A coach who selects starting players arbitrarily isn’t strictly applying a rule; he could just be picking names out of a hat.


You’re too arbitrary, commander.


It’s too arbitrary. It’s unreasonable.


So you’re suggesting that the author just arbitrarily made fun of Sarah Jessica Parker for no reason.


Look at Planck’s constant. People say that’s arbitrary.

@Chatbot 你是一个英语教学的大师,你会用通俗易懂的方式给学生讲解各类英语知识,现在请你给我解释下上面帖子中我着重讲解的单词,介绍下这些单词在正式文书和口语中的各类含义,各举几个地道,自然的例子。介绍下这些单词的来历,以及我如何才能记住这些单词呢?

当然可以!让我来详细讲解一下“arbitrary”这个词。

词性:adj

音标:[ˈɑːrbɪtreri]

释义:

  1. 任意的,随机的,不按照规定,规矩的
  2. 武断的,专政的

这个词的基本含义是“基于随机选择或个人的喜好,而不是任何理由或系统”。通常用在负面的语境中,表示行为或决定缺乏系统性和公平性。

同义词:

  • Capricious
  • Random
  • Chance

用法解释:

正式文书中的用法:

在正式文书中,使用“arbitrary”常常是为了强调某个决定或行为缺乏合理性或公平性。比如在法律或者政策分析中,这个词常用来批评某种不公平或武断的行为。

例如:

  • “The company’s arbitrary termination of employees without any notice was deemed illegal.”(公司无故解雇员工,被认为是非法的。)
  • “The arbitrary enforcement of the rules led to widespread dissatisfaction among the students.”(规则的任意执行,引起了学生们的广泛不满。)

口语中的用法:

在口语中,“arbitrary”的使用稍显随意,但通常用来描述某些决定是没有任何逻辑或理由的。

例如:

  • “Why did you choose this restaurant? It seems so arbitrary.”(你为什么选择这家餐厅?看起来毫无理由。)
  • “The teacher’s grading system is so arbitrary.”(老师的评分系统太随意了。)

例句分析:

  • “You’re too arbitrary, commander.”(你太武断了,指挥官。)——来自电影《Forbidden Planet》(1956)
  • “It’s too arbitrary. It’s unreasonable.”(这太武断了,不合情理。)——来自《Malcolm in the Middle》(2000)
  • “So you’re suggesting that the author just arbitrarily made fun of Sarah Jessica Parker for no reason.”(所以你是说作者毫无理由地拿Sarah Jessica Parker开涮?)——来自《South Park》(1997)
  • “Look at Planck’s constant. People say that’s arbitrary.”(看看普朗克常数。有人说那是任意的。)

词源:

“Arbitrary”源自拉丁语“arbitrarius”,意思是“由裁决者决定的”,进一步源自“arbiter”,意思是“裁决者,法官”。尽管词源与公平裁决有关,但现代使用时,这个词更多用于描述缺乏公平和系统性的行为。

记忆技巧:

要记住这个词,可以从它的同义词出发,比如“random”、“chance”。还可以通过多读多听相关例句,加深印象。另外,理解这个词常用在负面评价中,会帮助你在合适的情境中使用它。

希望这些解释和例句能帮助你更好地理解和记住“arbitrary”这个单词!