Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "暇な", "無料", "お負け", "自由意志"
All represent the core concept "free", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
暇な
ひまな (himana)
N4 / 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
自由意志
じゆういし (jiyuuishi)
C2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "free" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "暇な", "無料", "お負け", "自由意志" based on context.
- 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..
- 自由意志 (じゆういし (jiyuuishi) - Level: C2): Maps to "free will" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
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 "自由意志"
私は自由意志に興味があります。
I am interested in free will.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "週末は ＿＿＿ ので、映画を見に行きます。" (Meaning: "Since I'm free on the weekend, I'm going to watch a movie.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "暇な" is correct here because it represents "free (time); not busy" in the context: "Since I'm free on the weekend, I'm going to watch a movie.".