奔放

• Reading: ほんぽう
• Romaji: honpou
• Kanji breakdown: 奔 (hon) — rush, run wildly; 放 (hō) — release, set free
• Pronunciation: /ho̞ɴ.po̞ː/

Meaning

Free; uninhibited; unrestrained; wild. Describes someone or something that behaves freely without being bound by convention or rules.

A na-adjective used to describe behaviour, personality, or expression that ignores social constraints and flows according to its own will. Often carries a dual nuance — admiration for natural vitality alongside concern about lack of discipline. Frequently appears in the compound 自由奔放 (jiyū honpō — free and unrestrained) and phrases like 奔放な生き方 (an unrestrained way of life).

Examples

1. 彼女の自由奔放な生き方を、周囲の人は羨ましそうに見ていた。 Those around her watched her free-spirited way of life with an envious look.
2. 奔放な発想力こそが、この芸術家の最大の武器だ。 It is this artist's unbridled imagination that is his greatest weapon.
3. 若い頃は奔放に生きていたが、今は責任ある立場になった。 In my youth I lived without restraint, but now I am in a position of responsibility.

Usage Guide

Context: personality, lifestyle, arts, literature

Tone: admiring or cautionary

Origin & History

From Chinese. 奔 (hon — run, rush) + 放 (hō — release, set free). The image is of something rushing forward with no restraint, like a river breaking its banks.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: General