Definition

1. Adjective (often used adverbially):
   • Self-willed; acting on one's own accord: Describes doing something according to one's own will or decision, without considering or disregarding existing rules, agreements, or the opinions of others.
   • Arbitrarily; without authorization: Indicates an action taken without proper permission or consultation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Adverbial use):
  • Anh ấy tự ý bỏ việc mà không báo trước. (He quit his job on his own accord without prior notice.)
  • Không được tự ý thay đổi kế hoạch đã thống nhất. (Do not arbitrarily change the agreed-upon plan.)
  • Hành động tự ý của anh ta đã gây ra nhiều vấn đề. (His self-willed action caused many problems.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm tự ý" / "hành động tự ý": to act willfully/arbitrarily.
  • Mọi quyết định quan trọng đều phải được thảo luận, không được làm tự ý. (All important decisions must be discussed, not made willfully.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tự tiện (adj/adv): Acting for one's own convenience; arbitrarily. Often used interchangeably with "tự ý" but can imply a stronger sense of doing something for personal convenience without regard for others.
  • Anh ta tự tiện sử dụng máy tính của tôi. (He arbitrarily used my computer.)
• Tự quyết (v): To self-determine; to decide for oneself. Focuses more on the right or act of making one's own decisions.
  • Mỗi người có quyền tự quyết về tương lai của mình. (Everyone has the right to self-determination regarding their future.)

Synonyms

• Tự động (adj/adv): Automatically; spontaneously. Can sometimes overlap in contexts meaning "without being told," but "tự động" often lacks the negative connotation of disregarding rules that "tự ý" carries.
• Tùy tiện (adj/adv): Arbitrarily; capriciously. Similar to "tự ý" but can emphasize a lack of principle or consistency.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The core meaning of "tự ý" revolves around acting according to one's own will, which is neutral in itself. However, its usage is most commonly negative, criticizing actions that ignore rules, hierarchy, or collective agreement.
• It functions primarily as an adjective but is most frequently used as an adverb modifying a verb (e.g., – to do something willfully).

adj

1. self-willed