arbitrario
“arbitrario” means “arbitrary” in Spanish (based on random choice or personal whim rather than logic).
arbitrary
Also: random, unjust
📝 In Action
La decisión del jefe pareció muy arbitraria.
B1The boss's decision seemed very arbitrary.
No podemos elegir a los ganadores de forma arbitraria.
B2We cannot choose the winners in a random way.
El abogado denunció la detención arbitraria de su cliente.
C1The lawyer denounced the arbitrary detention of his client.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: arbitrario
Question 1 of 3
Which word describes a decision that follows no logical rules?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'arbitrarius,' which comes from 'arbiter' (a judge or someone who goes somewhere to see or hear something). It originally meant something left to the discretion of a judge.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'arbitrario' always a negative word?
Usually, yes. It implies that someone is ignoring the rules or being unfair. However, in math or science, it can simply mean 'any random value' without a negative connotation.
How do I say 'arbitrarily' as an adverb?
You can say 'arbitrariamente' or 'de forma arbitraria'.
What is the difference between 'aleatorio' and 'arbitrario'?
'Aleatorio' usually means random by chance (like rolling dice), while 'arbitrario' often implies a human choice made without considering others or the rules.