When we say someone is 任性 (rènxìng), we're talking about a strong sense of willfulness or being unreasonably stubborn.
It's often used to describe someone who insists on doing what they want, even when it's not practical, logical, or considerate of others. Think of it as a stubbornness that's a bit childish or impulsive.
For example, a child who throws a tantrum because they want a toy they can't have is acting 任性.
It can also apply to adults who act on their whims without thinking of the consequences, like impulsively quitting a job or making a big purchase without planning.
How to Use It
任性 (rènxìng) describes someone who acts according to their own will, often in a capricious or stubborn way, especially when it's not appropriate or causes inconvenience to others. It carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of consideration or discipline.
It can be used to describe both children and adults. For children, it often refers to being spoiled or throwing tantrums. For adults, it implies being self-indulgent, headstrong, or unreasonable.
Examples:
- 她很任性，总是想做什么就做什么。(Tā hěn rènxìng, zǒng shì xiǎng zuò shénme jiù zuò shénme.)
She is very willful, always doing whatever she wants. - 小孩子不能太任性，要听大人的话。(Xiǎo háizi bù néng tài rènxìng, yào tīng dàrén de huà.)
Children shouldn't be too willful; they need to listen to adults. - 他任性地辞掉了工作。(Tā rènxìng de cí diào le gōngzuò.)
He willfully quit his job.
A common mistake is confusing 任性 (rènxìng) with simply being independent or having one's own opinions. While a willful person might be independent, 任性 specifically implies a negative quality of being unreasonably stubborn or self-indulgent, often without regard for consequences or others' feelings.
It's not usually used to describe someone who is simply strong-willed or determined in a positive sense. For that, you might use words like 有毅力 (yǒu yìlì - persistent) or 有主见 (yǒu zhǔjiàn - having one's own ideas/assertive).
Incorrect Usage:
- 她很任性，所以很成功。(Tā hěn rènxìng, suǒyǐ hěn chénggōng.)
This implies her willfulness led to success, which isn't the typical connotation.
Corrected Usage (if you want to express a positive quality):
- 她很有毅力，所以很成功。(Tā hěn yǒu yìlì, suǒyǐ hěn chénggōng.)
She is very persistent, so she is very successful.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Describing a child's behavior:
- 这个孩子很任性，不听话。
- 她总是那么任性，让人头疼。
- 小明有点任性，但他很可爱。
Referring to someone's personality trait:
- 他从小就很任性。
- 我女朋友有时候挺任性的。
- 你的任性会让你吃亏的。
In a situation where someone is acting on a whim:
- 她任性地辞掉了工作。
- 我今天想任性一下，不减肥了。
- 别太任性，要考虑后果。
When someone is being stubborn about their desires:
- 她想买就买，很任性。
- 他任性地坚持自己的意见。
- 这种任性的要求很难满足。
Talking about a spoiled person:
- 她被宠坏了，所以很任性。
- 父母太溺爱孩子，导致孩子任性。
- 他的任性是父母惯出来的。
Conversation Starters
"你觉得小孩子任性是好是坏？"
"你身边有没有比较任性的人？他们有哪些表现？"
"你觉得自己有时候会很任性吗？在什么情况下？"
"你认为一个人在什么时候可以“任性”一下？"
"你怎么看待父母对孩子任性的态度？"
Journal Prompts
回忆一次你觉得自己很任性的经历，当时发生了什么？结果如何？
描述一个你认识的“任性”的人，他/她的任性给你留下了什么印象？
写下你认为“任性”可能带来的好处和坏处。
想象一下，如果你可以“任性”一天，你会做什么？
你认为“任性”和“坚持自我”有什么区别？
Test Yourself 36 questions
她很___，总是按照自己的想法做事情，不听别人的建议。
The sentence describes someone who always acts according to their own ideas and doesn't listen to others' advice, which perfectly matches the meaning of 任性 (willful).
小孩子有时候会比较___，想要什么就一定要得到。
Children can be willful, wanting what they want right away. 任性 (willful) fits this context.
因为他的___，我们错过了火车。
Someone's willfulness could lead to missing a train, perhaps by insisting on doing something else first. 任性 (willfulness) is the most appropriate choice.
一个任性的人总是很容易接受别人的意见。
任性 (rènxìng) means being unreasonably stubborn or headstrong, so a willful person would not easily accept others' opinions.
如果你想形容一个小孩子不听话，你可以说他很任性。
任性 (rènxìng) is often used to describe children who are disobedient or stubborn.
任性是一个褒义词，表示一个人的优点。
任性 (rènxìng) is generally a negative term, implying a flaw rather than a virtue.
Describe a time you or someone you know acted willfully or stubbornly, using the word 任性. Write 2-3 sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的小狗很任性。它不想回家的时候，就坐在地上不动。 (My little dog is very willful. When it doesn't want to go home, it just sits on the ground and doesn't move.)
Imagine you are trying to convince a friend not to be 任性 about a small decision, like choosing a restaurant. What would you say? Write 2 sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
别那么任性，我们去别的餐馆吧。有很多好吃的选择。 (Don't be so willful, let's go to another restaurant. There are many delicious choices.)
Translate the following English sentence into Chinese, using 任性: "Children can sometimes be a bit willful."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
孩子有时候会有点任性。
为什么妈妈很生气？ (Why was the mother angry?)
Read this passage:
小明很任性。他想买一个很贵的玩具，但是妈妈不同意。小明就在店里大哭，让妈妈很生气。 (Xiao Ming is very willful. He wanted to buy a very expensive toy, but his mother didn't agree. Xiao Ming cried loudly in the store, which made his mother very angry.)
为什么妈妈很生气？ (Why was the mother angry?)
小明因为任性大哭，所以妈妈很生气。(Xiao Ming cried because of his willfulness, so his mother was angry.)
小明因为任性大哭，所以妈妈很生气。(Xiao Ming cried because of his willfulness, so his mother was angry.)
小丽有什么特点？ (What is Xiaoli's characteristic?)
Read this passage:
我的朋友小丽很漂亮，但是她有时候很任性。她总是想做自己喜欢的事情，不听别人的意见。 (My friend Xiaoli is very pretty, but sometimes she is very willful. She always wants to do what she likes and doesn't listen to others' opinions.)
小丽有什么特点？ (What is Xiaoli's characteristic?)
文章中提到小丽有时候很任性，总是想做自己喜欢的事情，不听别人的意见。(The passage states that Xiaoli is sometimes willful, always wanting to do what she likes and not listening to others' opinions.)
文章中提到小丽有时候很任性，总是想做自己喜欢的事情，不听别人的意见。(The passage states that Xiaoli is sometimes willful, always wanting to do what she likes and not listening to others' opinions.)
这个人为什么让老板头疼？ (Why does this person give his boss a headache?)
Read this passage:
他是一个很有才华的艺术家，但是他的性格很任性。他常常不按时完成工作，让老板很头疼。 (He is a very talented artist, but his personality is very willful. He often doesn't finish work on time, which gives his boss a headache.)
这个人为什么让老板头疼？ (Why does this person give his boss a headache?)
文章中明确提到他的性格任性，常常不按时完成工作，所以让老板头疼。(The passage explicitly mentions that his willful personality often leads him to not finish work on time, hence giving his boss a headache.)
文章中明确提到他的性格任性，常常不按时完成工作，所以让老板头疼。(The passage explicitly mentions that his willful personality often leads him to not finish work on time, hence giving his boss a headache.)
她总是很___，想做什么就做什么。
The sentence describes someone who does whatever they want, which fits the meaning of 任性 (willful).
小孩子有时候会比较___，需要大人的引导。
Children can sometimes be willful and need guidance, making 任性 the appropriate word.
不要对孩子太___，否则他们会变得骄纵。
If you are too willful with children (meaning, letting them do whatever they want without discipline), they will become spoiled.
他因为___的性格，经常和同事发生冲突。
A willful personality often leads to conflicts with others.
即使是大人，偶尔也会有___的时候。
Even adults can be willful occasionally.
她对待工作非常认真，从不___。
Someone who is serious about work would not be willful or act on a whim.
Describe a time you or someone you know acted willfully (任性). What happened and what was the outcome?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我有一个朋友很任性。她想买一个很贵的包，但是她没有足够的钱。她跟父母吵架，最后父母还是给她买了。我觉得她有点太任性了。
Imagine a child who is very 任性. Write a short paragraph describing their behavior and what their parents might do.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
小明是一个非常任性的孩子。他总是想做什么就做什么，不听父母的话。如果他得不到他想要的东西，他就会哭闹。他的父母经常很头疼，不知道怎么管教他。
You are giving advice to a friend about how to deal with a 任性 colleague. What would you say?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
如果你的同事很任性，我建议你先和她好好沟通。如果沟通没有用，你可以试着和经理谈谈。有时候，我们需要学会保护自己。
小王的朋友们对她有什么看法？
Read this passage:
小王总是很任性，想买什么就买什么，从不考虑自己的经济状况。她的朋友们都觉得她应该更成熟一点。
小王的朋友们对她有什么看法？
文章中提到“她的朋友们都觉得她应该更成熟一点”，直接指出了朋友们的看法。
文章中提到“她的朋友们都觉得她应该更成熟一点”，直接指出了朋友们的看法。
妈妈为什么感到尴尬？
Read this passage:
一个任性的孩子在商场里大声哭闹，因为他想要一个玩具。他的妈妈感到非常尴尬，不知道该怎么办。
妈妈为什么感到尴尬？
文章中说孩子“在商场里大声哭闹”，这通常会让家长感到尴尬。
文章中说孩子“在商场里大声哭闹”，这通常会让家长感到尴尬。
老板为什么对小李不满？
Read this passage:
老板对小李的任性行为很不满。小李总是按照自己的想法做事，不听从老板的指示，导致工作出现了一些问题。
老板为什么对小李不满？
文章中明确提到“小李总是按照自己的想法做事，不听从老板的指示”，这正是老板不满的原因。
文章中明确提到“小李总是按照自己的想法做事，不听从老板的指示”，这正是老板不满的原因。
Describe a time you or someone you know acted willfully or stubbornly, and explain the consequences. Use the word 任性.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我有一个朋友，小时候非常任性。有一次她非要买一个很贵的玩具，父母不同意，她就大哭大闹，最后还是买到了。但回家后，她对那个玩具很快就失去了兴趣。从那以后，她父母教育她不要太任性，要学会体谅他人。这件事让她明白，任性带来的后果不总是好的，有时候会让自己后悔。
Imagine a scenario where a child is being 任性. Write a short dialogue between the child and a parent or guardian trying to explain why their behavior is not good. Include the word 任性 at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
孩子：我就是要吃冰淇淋！现在就要！ 妈妈：小明，你不能这么任性。我们刚吃完饭，现在吃冰淇淋会肚子疼的。 孩子：我不管，我就是要！ 妈妈：如果你总是这么任性，以后会没有人喜欢和你玩。好孩子应该学会体谅别人，听妈妈的话，好不好？
Discuss the cultural differences in how 'willfulness' (任性) is perceived in different contexts. For example, is it seen as more acceptable in children than adults, or in creative fields versus strict professions?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在西方文化中，有时对孩子的一些任性行为会比较宽容，认为这是孩子个性的体现。但在中国文化中，任性通常被视为一种需要纠正的行为，尤其是在集体环境中，强调听话和服从。对于成年人来说，无论在哪种文化中，过度的任性都可能被视为不成熟或不负责任。然而，在某些艺术或创意领域，一些人可能会将"任性"解读为坚持自我、不随波逐流的个性，但这通常是在有才华作为支撑的前提下。
小张的任性行为给朋友们带来了什么影响？
Read this passage:
小张一直以来都很任性。他总是按照自己的意愿行事，很少考虑别人的感受。有一次，朋友们约好一起去旅行，他却在最后一刻突然改变主意，决定去另一个地方，完全打乱了大家的计划。虽然他觉得自己的选择没有错，但他的朋友们却感到非常不满，甚至因此和他产生了隔阂。
小张的任性行为给朋友们带来了什么影响？
文章中明确提到“朋友们却感到非常不满，甚至因此和他产生了隔阂”。
文章中明确提到“朋友们却感到非常不满，甚至因此和他产生了隔阂”。
根据文章，女主角的任性最终带来了什么结果？
Read this passage:
这部电影的女主角性格非常任性，她拒绝了父母安排的婚姻，独自一人去追求自己的梦想。虽然一路上遇到了很多困难，但她从不后悔自己的选择。最终，她不仅实现了梦想，也赢得了父母的理解和尊重。她的任性在某种程度上，成为了她成功的动力。
根据文章，女主角的任性最终带来了什么结果？
文章中写道“她不仅实现了梦想，也赢得了父母的理解和尊重”。
文章中写道“她不仅实现了梦想，也赢得了父母的理解和尊重”。
小李在团队项目中的任性行为导致了什么问题？
Read this passage:
在一个团队项目中，小李总是很任性，坚持自己的意见，不听取其他成员的建议。尽管他的想法有时候很有创意，但由于他过于固执，导致团队合作效率低下，项目进展缓慢。最终，团队不得不重新分配任务，以避免进一步的延误。这种任性对团队的整体表现产生了负面影响。
小李在团队项目中的任性行为导致了什么问题？
文章中提到“由于他过于固执，导致团队合作效率低下，项目进展缓慢”。
文章中提到“由于他过于固执，导致团队合作效率低下，项目进展缓慢”。
她从小被宠坏了，所以性格有点____。
Context indicates someone spoiled, leading to a willful personality.
老板对员工的____行为感到不满。
A boss would be unhappy with unreasonable or headstrong behavior from employees.
请不要____，要学会考虑别人的感受。
The advice is to not be willful and to consider others' feelings.
他因为____，常常做出一些冲动的决定。
Willfulness can lead to impulsive decisions.
父母应该引导孩子，而不是让他们____发展。
Parents should guide children, implying they shouldn't let them develop in an uncontrolled, willful way.
这部电影的主角是一个____的年轻人，总是追求自己的梦想。
While '任性' can be negative, it can also describe someone stubbornly pursuing their dreams, which fits the context of a movie protagonist.
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Related Content
Related Phrases
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
