随机

• Pinyin: suí jī
• Hanzi breakdown: 随 = to follow, go along with; 机 = 木 (wood radical) + 几 (small table, mechanism) — a mechanism or opportunity arising by chance

Meaning

Random; occurring without a fixed pattern or predetermined order. Also: adaptive, responsive to circumstances as they arise.

Used in statistics (随机抽样 — random sampling), computing (随机数 — random number), and everyday speech (随机应变 — adapt flexibly to circumstances). The dual meaning of 'random' and 'adaptive' reflects its two distinct but related uses. Collocates: 随机性、随机变量、随机分配、随机抽查.

Examples

1. 研究人员采用随机抽样的方式对这批数据进行统计分析，以确保样本的代表性，从而得出更具说服力的科学结论。 Researchers used random sampling to statistically analyze this dataset, ensuring the sample is representative and allowing them to draw more convincing scientific conclusions.
2. 这款游戏的关卡设计引入了随机生成元素，使得每次游玩的体验都各有不同，极大地提升了玩家的重复游玩意愿。 This game’s level design introduces procedurally generated randomness, making each playthrough different and greatly increasing players’ desire to replay it.
3. 教学实践证明，教师能够随机应变地根据学生的课堂反应调整教学节奏与方法，往往比按部就班地执行教案取得更好的教学效果。 Teaching practice shows that when teachers can adapt on the fly—adjusting pace and methods based on students’ reactions in class—they often achieve better results than by rigidly following a lesson plan.

Usage Guide

Context: statistics, computing, science, education, gaming

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 在质量检测流程中，随机抽检是发现潜在问题的重要手段，其不可预测性能够有效防止生产环节中的弄虚作假行为。(In quality inspection procedures, random sampling is an important means of detecting potential problems — its unpredictability can effectively prevent falsification in the production process.)
• 优秀的谈判者往往具备随机应变的高超能力，能够在局势出现意外变化时迅速调整策略，将不利因素转化为推动谈判的新契机。(Skilled negotiators often possess a remarkable ability to adapt flexibly, quickly adjusting their strategy when the situation changes unexpectedly and turning unfavourable factors into new opportunities to advance the negotiation.)

Don't Say

• 随机 在'随机应变'语境中表示灵活适应，而非无序或混乱；在统计学和计算机科学语境中，随机 特指概率性无序，与'灵活'含义完全不同，使用时须注意语境区分

Origin & History

随 (to follow, in response to) + 机 (opportunity, mechanism, circumstance) — responding to what circumstances bring; without predetermined order

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal