肆意妄为

肆意妄為

sìyì-wàngwéi

idiom

Meanings

1 to act recklessly without restraint
2 to do whatever one pleases
3 wanton behavior

Characters

reckless, absurd

Examples

HSK 4

法律面前人人平等，任何人都不能肆意妄为。

Fǎlǜ miànqián rénrén píngděng, rènhé rén dōu bùnéng sìyì-wàngwéi.

Everyone is equal before the law; no one can act recklessly as they please.

HSK 6

他仗着家里有权，在学校肆意妄为，无人敢管。

Tā zhàng zhe jiālǐ yǒu quán, zài xuéxiào sìyì-wàngwéi, wúrén gǎn guǎn.

Counting on his family's power, he ran wild at school and no one dared to stop him.

Tips

usage

Strongly negative - used for abuses of power, bullying, and reckless officials. 肆意 ('without restraint') intensifies 妄为 ('acting wildly'). Near-synonym of 为所欲为, but 肆意妄为 sounds more condemnatory.

Stroke Order

肆 sì

意 yì

妄 wàng

为 wéi