恣 (zì) - Unbridled — to act recklessly, wantonly, without restraint & self-indulgent

恣Tone 4

zì ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

志

恣 · zì

Unbridled — to act recklessly, wantonly, without restraint;

self-indulgent;

willful.

Unbridled — to act recklessly, wantonly, without restraintself-indulgentwillful.

Usage highlights

wanton and recklessindulge in emotionsact arbitrarilyunbridled and arrogantselfunrestrained pleasure

Synonyms

  • 肆— unrestrained, wanton
  • 纵— indulge, let loose
  • 任— allow, let (in the sense of letting oneself go)

Antonyms

  • 谨— cautious, prudent
  • 慎— careful, discreet
  • 束— restrain, bind

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He acted with wanton arrogance (恣意妄为).
  • The tyrant indulged in luxury and pleasure (恣情享乐).
  • She gave free rein to her emotions (恣情放纵).
  • The invaders committed atrocities without restraint (恣行凶暴).

Collocations

  • wanton and reckless(恣意妄为)
  • indulge in emotions(恣情)
  • act arbitrarily(恣行)
  • unbridled and arrogant(恣睢)
  • self-indulgent(恣肆)
  • unrestrained pleasure(恣乐)

Idioms

  • Arrogant and domineering(专恣跋扈)
  • Act recklessly and arbitrarily(恣意妄为)
  • Arrogant and unrestrained(骄恣专横)
  • Self-indulgent and unrestrained(恣肆放纵)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian ethics, '恣' represents negative behavior contrary to self-restraint and propriety.
  • Historically used to criticize rulers or officials who abused power and acted without moral constraints.
  • Often appears in classical texts describing tyrannical behavior and moral decay.

FAQ