恣意

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Spelling: 恣意. Reading: しい. Core meaning: arbitrariness; arbitrary judgment.
• Basic usage: Representative examples: 評価が担当者の恣意に左右されない基準を設けた / 規則を恣意的に解釈してはいけない.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Arbitrariness versus discretion
  • 恣意 has a negative nuance of deciding according to personal whim without objective criteria. Distinguish it from neutral 任意, which indicates optional choice or discretion.