Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "暇", "無料", "無償", "自由詩"
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
無償
むしょう (mushō)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
自由詩
じゆうし (jiyuushi)
C2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "free" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "暇", "無料", "無償", "自由詩" 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.
- 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..
- 自由詩 (じゆうし (jiyuushi) - Level: C2): Maps to "free verse" 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 "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.
Context for "自由詩"
私は自由詩に興味があります。
I am interested in free verse.
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.".