随分 (zuibun: very, extremely, considerably)
to let oneself do as one pleases + extent
According to Spahn, Halpern, and Nelson, 阝 is the radical in 随.
In many ways, 随 is a very cool kanji. For one thing, a few (but not all) dictionaries say that it has the kun-yomi of manimani, which reminds me of “mahimahi.” Not sure why that pleases me so much, but it does. As manimani, 随 means “at the mercy of (the waves).” I’m not sure whether mahimahi are good swimmers. I have to think that comes with the job definition of “fish.” But maybe there are some mahimahi who find themselves manimani with the waves.
Halpern has a different take. He says that as ZUI and manimani, 随 means not only “at the mercy of, with (the wind)” (note: wind, not waves) but also “to let things take their natural course; let oneself do as one pleases.” He says that’s true in 随分 (zuibun), as the breakdown above reflects. Moreover, he says one can interpret the whole compound 随分 as meaning “as much as one pleases.” Here are two more words in which 随 has a devil-may-care vibe:
随筆 (zuihitsu: essay, stray notes)
to let oneself do as one pleases + writingsI love this! An essay is a place where the writer does as she pleases! The English word “essay” comes from the French essayer, which means “to try.” In that way, we can assume that “essay” has a connotation of freedom to experiment and perhaps to fail. Why, then, are students graded severely on essays?!
不随 (fuzui: paralysis)
not + to let oneself do as one pleasesWhen paralyzed, one can’t do as one pleases.
Nelson’s entry for 随 lists two other kun-yomi that aren’t in my other kanji dictionaries: mama, “as it is,” and -naga(ra), “though, while.” Hmm, intriguing. I can’t find any more information about that.
Finally, let’s turn to the most common meaning of this kanji. Halpern says that as ZUI, 随 means “to follow”:
随行する (zuikō suru: to attend on, accompany, follow)
to follow + to go
付随の (fuzui no: accompanying, incidental)
to be attached to + to accompany
追随 (tsuizui: to follow (in the footsteps of))
to follow + to followHard to pronounce!
He says that’s also true when the yomi is shitaga(u). We’ve seen another shitaga(u) that means “to follow”: 従. These two kanji even combine in a fun word that features their on-yomi counterparts:
随従 (zuijū: following the lead of, playing second fiddle to) to follow + to follow
