随便

• Pinyin: suí biàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 随 = 辶 (walk) + phonetic component, meaning 'to follow'; 便 = 亻(person) + 更 (change, phonetic), meaning 'convenient'

Meaning

Casual; as one pleases; whatever. Indicates doing something freely without restriction.

A versatile word used as an adjective (casual, careless), adverb (freely, as one pleases), and a standalone response meaning 'whatever, I don't mind.' Can carry both positive (relaxed, easygoing) and negative (careless, dismissive) connotations depending on tone and context.

Examples

1. 你想吃什么？随便。 What do you want to eat? Whatever.
2. 不要随便动别人的东西。 Don't casually touch other people's things.
3. 随便坐，不要客气。 Sit anywhere, don't be polite.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday conversation, decisions, hospitality

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你随便选一个吧。(Just pick any one.)
• 吃什么都行，我随便。(Anything is fine to eat, I'm not picky.)

Don't Say

• 不要对长辈说'我随便' (Don't reply with just 随便 to elders or hosts who offer food — it can seem dismissive or impolite; give a specific preference or say 都可以, 您安排就好)

Origin & History

随 (suí, to follow) + 便 (biàn, convenient). Literally 'follow convenience,' meaning to do whatever is convenient or as one wishes.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal