規則性の無い meaning and usage


In Influent, the language learning game, 規{き}則｛そく｝性{せい}の無｛な｝い is used to mean
'random'. In checking the term, I see that it does appear in usage, though the
dictionary I use (jisho.org) does not list the term, instead listing such
terms as 出鱈目, 行き当たりばったり, and 当ても無い, among others. Is 規則性の無い just rarely used
in favour of one of the other terms listed? Does 規則性の無い mean 'random, by
chance, or without pattern', or does it have a different meaning than what was
taught? If it does mean random, what would the connotations of the term be?




The phrase 「規則性のない」 surely can mean "random", but if you used it everytime you
wanted to say "random", it would be regarded as an unnatural word choice at
least half the time.

「規則性のない」 literally means " ** _lacking regularity_** " and that is what the
phrase mostly means to us Japanese-speakers. To call something 「規則性のない」, one
needs to observe it for at least a certain amount of time.

To call something "random", one would often only need to observe a single
occurance of something, wouldn't one? If I asked you a question and you
thought it random, you would call it a random question, right? You cannot use
the phrase 「規則性のない」 in that situation. You would need to be asked at least a
few questions before labeling the question pattern as 「規則性のない」.

「規則性のある/ない」 are good phrases to use indeed. Unlike 「[出鱈目]{でたらめ}」 and
「行き[当]{あ}たりばったり」, which are fairly informal, it sounds pretty formal and we do
not use it in casual daily conversation.




The phrase 「規則性のない」 surely can mean "random", but if you used it everytime you
wanted to say "random", it would be regarded as an unnatural word choice at
least half the time.

「規則性のない」 literally means " ** _lacking regularity_** " and that is what the
phrase mostly means to us Japanese-speakers. To call something 「規則性のない」, one
needs to observe it for at least a certain amount of time.

To call something "random", one would often only need to observe a single
occurance of something, wouldn't one? If I asked you a question and you
thought it random, you would call it a random question, right? You cannot use
the phrase 「規則性のない」 in that situation. You would need to be asked at least a
few questions before labeling the question pattern as 「規則性のない」.

「規則性のある/ない」 are good phrases to use indeed. Unlike 「[出鱈目]{でたらめ}」 and
「行き[当]{あ}たりばったり」, which are fairly informal, it sounds pretty formal and we do
not use it in casual daily conversation.

