Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "暇な", "無料", "無償", "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
無償
むしょう (mushō)
N2 / 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", "無償", "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.
- 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 "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.".