beliebig
any / arbitrary
Any one; without a specific rule or selection. It describes that the choice is free and arbitrary.
EXAMPLE
Wählen Sie eine beliebige Zahl zwischen eins und zehn.
Choose any number between one and ten.
beliebig
any / arbitrary
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Meanings
beliebig
generic
Often used negatively to express that something is interchangeable and has no character of its own or special features.
EXAMPLE
Die Einrichtung des Hotelzimmers war modern, aber irgendwie beliebig.
The furnishings of the hotel room were modern, but somehow generic.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'beliebig' (any/arbitrary/generic) is related to the verb 'belieben' (to please, to wish). Something is 'beliebig' when you can choose it freely 'nach eigenem Belieben' (according to your own preference), that is, according to your own wishes.
EXAMPLE
Sie können die Zutaten für den Salat nach Belieben variieren.
You can vary the ingredients for the salad as you like.
Use with adverbs
'Beliebig' is very often used to modify adverbs like 'oft' (often), 'lange' (long), or 'viel' (much/a lot). It expresses that the frequency, duration, or amount is unlimited or freely selectable.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser Software können Sie das Dokument beliebig oft kopieren.
With this software, you can copy the document as often as you like.
Context clue
The negative meaning 'interchangeable' can be recognized from context. It is often used in reviews of art, design, or music to express that something has no personality or originality of its own.
EXAMPLE
Seine neueste Musik klingt professionell produziert, aber leider auch völlig beliebig.
His latest music sounds professionally produced, but unfortunately also completely generic.
Typical collocations
In its neutral meaning, 'beliebig' is often used in instructions or technical contexts. Typical combinations are 'eine beliebige Zahl' (any number), 'ein beliebiger Zeitpunkt' (any point in time), or 'in beliebiger Reihenfolge' (in any order).
EXAMPLE
Die Teilnehmer können die Aufgaben in beliebiger Reihenfolge bearbeiten.
The participants can work on the tasks in any order.
Compare with
beliebig vs egal
indifferent / no matter
Egal and beliebig can express that a specific choice makes no particular difference. Egal primarily describes a lack of preference or significance for someone, while beliebig emphasizes the freedom to choose without a fixed selection. Use egal for indifference and beliebig when any option can be chosen.
beliebig
Für die Aufgabe kannst du einen beliebigen Film aus dieser Liste auswählen.
For the assignment, you can choose any movie from this list.
egal
Mir ist egal, welchen Film wir heute Abend sehen.
I don't care which movie we watch tonight.
In real life
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