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武断 (wǔ duàn) — arbitrary decision; subjective assertion

Definition

武断 (wǔduàn) names a hasty, subjective judgment made without evidence — closer to 'arbitrary, dogmatic' than a simple 'subjective' opinion. Use it to criticize someone's decision-making, not to describe a neutral personal view.

noun
arbitrary decisionsubjective assertion

Examples

  • 武断。
    Tā de wǔ duàn ràng zhěng gè xiàng mù xiàn rù hùn luàn.
    His arbitrary decision threw the whole project into chaos.
  • 武断。
    Qǐng bú yào zuò chū zhè zhǒng háo wú gēn jù de wǔ duàn.
    Please don't make such baseless subjective assertions.
  • 武断。
    Tā de wǔ duàn zāo dào le suǒ yǒu rén de fǎn duì.
    His arbitrary judgment was opposed by everyone.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

武wǔforceful
断duàndecide

武断 joins 武 (forceful) and 断 (to decide), suggesting a decision made forcefully rather than fairly.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

武 puts 戈 (dagger-axe) above 止 (foot/to walk), showing an army going on an expedition.

Open 武 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 斷; 断 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 斷 uses 𢇍 (to cut) and 斤 (axe) together.

Open 断 →
Appears in
Attitudes & Opinions

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