Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "暇", "暇な", "無料", "お負け", "無償"
All represent the core concept "free", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
暇
ひま (hima)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
暇な
ひまな (himana)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
無料
むりょう (muryou)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
お負け
おまけ (omake)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
無償
むしょう (mushō)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "free" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "暇", "暇な", "無料", "お負け", "無償" based on context.
- 暇 (ひま (hima) - Level: N5): Maps to "free time, leisure; to be free" and is used when な-adjective.
- 暇な (ひまな (himana) - Level: N4): Maps to "free (time); not busy" and is used when Used to describe having free time or not being busy. It is a な-adjective, so it takes な before a noun.
- 無料 (むりょう (muryou) - Level: N4): Maps to "free of charge, complimentary" and is used when Used to indicate that something costs no money. Often seen on signs for services or goods.
- お負け (おまけ (omake) - Level: N3): Maps to "free gift; bonus; extra; discount" and is used when An extra item given for free, or a small discount. Often used in casual contexts or shopping..
- 無償 (むしょう (mushō) - Level: N2): Maps to "free of charge, without compensation, gratuitous" and is used when Indicates that something is provided or done without expecting payment, reward, or compensation. Often used for volunteer work or charitable acts..
Context for "暇"
今日は暇だから、映画を見に行きます。
I'm free today, so I'll go to see a movie.
Context for "暇な"
週末は暇なので、映画を見に行きます。
Since I'm free on the weekend, I'm going to watch a movie.
Context for "無料"
このアプリは無料でダウンロードできます。
You can download this app for free.
Context for "お負け"
この本を買ったら、かわいいしおりがおまけでついてきた。
When I bought this book, a cute bookmark came as a free gift.
Context for "無償"
彼は地域社会のために無償で奉仕している。
He volunteers his services to the local community free of charge.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今日は ＿＿＿ だから、映画を見に行きます。" (Meaning: "I'm free today, so I'll go to see a movie.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "暇" is correct here because it represents "free time, leisure; to be free" in the context: "I'm free today, so I'll go to see a movie.".