Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "暇", "無料", "お負け", "逍遥"
All represent the core concept "free", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
暇
ひま (hima)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
無料
むりょう (muryou)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
お負け
おまけ (omake)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
逍遥
しょうよう (shouyou)
C2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "free" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "暇", "無料", "お負け", "逍遥" based on context.
- 暇 (ひま (hima) - Level: N5): Maps to "free time, leisure; to be free" and is used when な-adjective.
- 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..
- 逍遥 (しょうよう (shouyou) - Level: C2): Maps to "free and easy wandering" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
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 "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 "逍遥"
私は逍遥に興味があります。
I am interested in free and easy wandering.
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.".