Is unwillkürlich the opposite of willkürlich?

Question

My dictionary translates *willkürlich* as *arbitrary* and *unwillkürlich* as *involuntary*. I do not understand in what sense these concepts are opposites. Could someone give an example where this becomes evident?

Answer 1

Hello,

Yes, that is right. The "un" makes it negative.

For example:

Ich treffe eine willkürliche Wahl. I make an arbitrary choice.

Dies war eine unwillkürliche Reaktion. This was an involuntary reaction.