気まま・気儘・気侭|きままkimama[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
気まま気まま is the most common written form. It is the form learners should use by default; its meaning is the same as the other written forms.
気儘気儘 is a kanji-only spelling and is rarely used. You may encounter it, but choose 気まま instead when writing.
気侭気侭 is a kanji-only spelling and is rarely used. You may encounter it, but choose 気まま instead when writing.
Definitions
- na-adjective, nounwillful; wilful; selfish; self-centered; egoistic
- na-adjective, nouncarefree; do-as-you-please; freewheeling; free spirited
Conjugation
| Plain form | 気まま（きまま） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 気ままです（きままです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 気ままではない（きままではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 気ままではありません（きままではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 気ままだった（きままだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 気ままではなかった（きままではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 気ままで（きままで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 気ままに（きままに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 気ままなら（きままなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymわがままNeutralClearly negative — pushing one's own way without regard for others; 「気まま」 is about doing as one pleases and can be neutral or negative.
- Related自由じゆうNeutralThe most general word for being unrestrained, as in 「自由に暮らす」; 「気まま」 carries more of a capricious, do-as-you-please flavour.
- Related任意にんいWrittenWritten/formal prose: voluntary or optional, as in 「任意保険」, mostly in institutional rules; it does not describe a person's character.
- Related随意ずいいWrittenWritten/formal prose: free of constraint, at one's own discretion, as in 「ご随意に」「随意に選ぶ」; stiffer than 「気まま」 and rarely said of character.
- RelatedフリーNeutralA loanword with broad uses — free, free of charge, freelance — but it does not convey the carefree, do-as-you-please attitude of 「気まま」.
- Related放逸ほういつWrittenWritten/formal prose for dissolute, undisciplined behaviour, negative and rare; far more strongly negative than 「気まま」.
- Related放恣ほうしWrittenWritten/formal prose for unbridled, immoderate conduct; negative and little used, stressing lack of restraint more than 「気まま」.
- Related放縦ほうじゅうWrittenWritten/formal prose for indulgence without restraint, negative, as in 「放縦な生活」; more negative than 「気まま」.
- Related放埓ほうらつWrittenWritten/formal prose for dissolute, unruly conduct, also debauchery with drink and sex; carries a heavier moral taint than 「気まま」.
- Antonym律儀りちぎNeutralDutiful, observant of propriety and meticulous — the opposite of the do-as-you-please freedom of 「気まま」.
- Antonym堅実けんじつNeutralSteady, dependable and risk-averse — the opposite of 「気まま」's freewheeling way of acting.
For unconstrained, do-as-you-please living, use 「気まま」, as in 「気ままな一人旅」. When the point is disregarding others, say 「わがまま」. 「自由」 is the general word for freedom; 「任意」「随意」 are formal terms for optional/at one's discretion; 「フリー」 covers free and freelance. For written, disapproving indulgence use 「放縦」 (also 「放逸」「放恣」「放埓」). Opposites: 「律儀」, 「堅実」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
