Japanese word

不自由

Pronunciation

Romajifujiyū

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveinconvenient

Example

この町は車がないと不自由です。ko no machi wa kuruma ga na i to fu ji yū de su

This town is inconvenient without a car.

Illustration for 不自由 (inconvenient)

More examples

停電すると、家の中での生活が不自由です。tei den su ru to ie no naka de no sei katsu ga fu ji yū de su

When the power goes out, life at home becomes inconvenient.

Core concept

Centers on having one's choices or ordinary activities limited because necessary conditions or resources are lacking.

Common phrases

  • 不自由な生活fu ji yū na sei katsu

    a restricted lifestyle

  • 不自由を感じるfu ji yū o kan ji ru

    feel inconvenienced

Similar words

不便fuben: Describes a lack of convenience that makes ordinary activities harder to carry out.
不都合futsugō: Describes conditions that are unsuitable or disadvantageous for carrying out a purpose.

Definition in Japanese

必要なものが足りないなどのため、行動や暮らしが思うようにならないさま。hitsu yō na mo no ga ta ri na i na do no ta me kō dō ya ku ra shi ga omo u yō ni na ra na i sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 不自由 (fujiyū) consists of 不 (fu, "not") and 自由 (jiyū, "freedom"); 自由 combines 自 (ji, "self") with 由 (yū, "reason or basis").

Usage tips

  • The everyday sense of 不自由 (fujiyū) is often closer to "inconvenient" than to a political loss of freedom, especially when a needed facility or means is unavailable.

Other meanings

  • restrictedna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 不自由さfujiyūsainconveniencenoun

Word lists with this word