Japanese word

自由

Pronunciation

Romajijiyū

Meaning

  • nounfreedom

Example

子どもには自由が必要です。ko do mo ni wa ji yū ga hitsu yō de su

Children need freedom.

Illustration for 自由 (freedom)

More examples

みんなに自由があります。mi n na ni ji yū ga a ri ma su

Everyone has freedom.

だれでも、自由に意見を言っていいです。da re de mo ji yū ni i ken o i tte i i de su

Everyone may freely share their opinions.

Core concept

Describes having room to choose and act because no outside force fixes the course.

Common phrases

  • 自由に遊ぶji yū ni aso bu

    play freely

  • 自由を楽しむji yū o tano shi mu

    enjoy freedom

  • 自由を守るji yū o mamo ru

    protect freedom

Similar words

勝手katte: The freedom to act according to one's own wishes, often without regard for others.
任意nini: A choice or action left to a person's own decision.

Definition in Japanese

他人や規則に縛られず、自分の望むとおりにできること。ta nin ya ki soku ni shiba ra re zu ji bun no nozo mu tō ri ni de ki ru ko to

Word origin

自由 (jiyū) comes from the Chinese compound 自由, with 自 (ji, "self") and 由 (yū, "means or grounds"), linking the idea to what proceeds from oneself.

Usage tips

  • Japanese speakers use 自由 (jiyū) for personal liberty and for things left open rather than fixed in advance.

Opposites

Related words

  • 自由化jiyūkaliberalizationnoun
  • 自由度jiyūdodegree of freedomnoun

Word lists with this word