随机
suíjī
The Chinese word for random is 随机 (suíjī), which translates to 'apropos of nothing'.
Meaning: apropos of nothing (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 随机 is composed of 随, meaning 'to follow' and 机, meaning 'opportunity' or 'chance', literally translating to 'to follow the chance'.
Which one should you use?
While 随机 implies a systematic or mathematical randomness, the word 乱 is used when 'random' implies a lack of order, chaos or acting without a plan. Additionally, 胡乱 can be used to convey the sense of doing something randomly or carelessly.
How do you pronounce it?
suíjī
Did you know?
- While 随机 is used for computer-generated randomness, a person acting 'randomly' in a social sense is often described as 随缘, which means 'following fate'.
- The character 机 in 随机 also appears in 手机 for 'mobile phone' and 飞机 for 'airplane' because it originally referred to a loom or a complex mechanism.
- The word 乱 used for chaotic randomness is also the root of the word for 'rebellion' or 'civil war' in historical texts.
Examples in context
- 他在游戏中选择了任意的数字。He chose a random number in the game.
- 这个程序会随机生成不同的结果。This program will generate random results.
- 他胡乱猜了一个答案。He randomly guessed an answer.
- 你随便选一个吧。You can choose any (random) one.
- 这只是一个随机的想法。Zhè zhǐshì yīgè suíjī de xiǎngfǎ.This is just a random thought.
- 我刚才想到了一个随机的问题。Wǒ gāngcái xiǎngdàole yīgè suíjī de wèntí.I just thought of a random question.
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting on a sofa.
- 伟 Wei佳怡，你觉得企鹅会飞吗？Jiāyí, nǐ juéde qǐ'é huì fēi ma?Jiayi, do you think penguins can fly?
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，你这个问题太随机了。Wěi, nǐ zhège wèntí tài suíjī le.Wei, this question of yours is too random.
- 伟 Wei我只是突然想到了。Wǒ zhǐshì tūrán xiǎngdào le.I just suddenly thought of it.
- 佳怡 Jiayi当然不能飞了。Dāngrán bùnéng fēi le.Of course they can't fly.
