Translation and Meaning of: 自由 - jiyuu

The Japanese word 自由[じゆう] is a fascinating term that carries profound meanings and important cultural connections. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in everyday life in Japan. Furthermore, we will understand how this word relates to social and philosophical values, providing valuable insights for students and curious individuals about the Japanese language.

Meaning and translation of 自由[じゆう]

In its most basic form, 自由[じゆう] means "freedom" or "free will." It is a word composed of the kanjis 自 (ji, oneself) and 由 (yuu, reason or origin), suggesting the idea of acting on one's own volition. Unlike other languages, Japanese often uses this word in contexts ranging from political freedom to everyday choices.

An interesting fact is that 自由 is not limited to abstract concepts. It can appear in everyday situations, such as in "自由時間" (jiyuu jikan), which means "free time." This flexibility of use makes it an essential word for those studying Japanese.

Origin and Cultural Use

The origin of 自由 dates back to classical Chinese, but its use in Japan gained strength during the modernization of the country in the Meiji period. At that time, Western ideas about freedom and individual rights began to influence Japanese society, and the word started to be used in political and philosophical discourse.

Today, 自由 is present in various aspects of Japanese culture, from education to work. For example, schools encourage "自由研究" (jiyuu kenkyuu), research projects where students freely choose their themes. This type of usage shows how the concept of freedom is valued even in traditional structures.

Tips for memorizing and using 自由[じゆう]

An effective way to memorize 自由 is to associate it with practical situations. For example, think of phrases like "自由に話してください" (jiyuu ni hanashite kudasai), which means "please speak freely." This kind of context helps to establish not only the meaning but also the correct application of the word.

Another tip is to observe how 自由 appears in animes and dramas. Often, characters use this word in decisive moments, reinforcing its emotional and cultural weight. Watching Japanese content attentively can be a great way to learn nuances of the language.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 自由自在 (Jiyūjizai) - Total freedom and flexibility.
• 自由な (Jiyūna) - Freedom; the state of being free.
• 自由主義 (Jiyūshugi) - Liberalism; a philosophy that advocates for individual freedom.
• 自由放任 (Jiyūhōnin) - Let things run their course; non-interference policy.
• 自由奔放 (Jiyūhonpō) - Independence; to act freely and without restrictions.
• 自由意志 (Jiyūishi) - Free will; the ability to make independent choices.
• 自由化 (Jiyūka) - Deregulation; process of removing restrictions.
• 自由人 (Jiyūjin) - Free person; someone who is not imprisoned or limited.
• 自由自発 (Jiyūjihatsu) - Self-initiative; acting on one’s own freely.
• 自由自立 (Jiyūjiritsu) - Free independence; the ability to live autonomously.
• 自由意識 (Jiyūishiki) - Awareness of freedom; awareness of one's own freedom.
• 自由解釈 (Jiyūkaishaku) - Free interpretation; unrestricted interpretation.
• 自由行動 (Jiyūkōdō) - Free action; to act according to one's own will.
• 自由裁量 (Jiyūsairyō) - Discretion; freedom of decision within limits.
• 自由選択 (Jiyūsentaku) - Free choice; the ability to choose without pressure.
• 自由意見 (Jiyūiken) - Free opinions; expression without censorship.
• 自由状態 (Jiyūjōtai) - State of freedom; a condition of total liberty.
• 自由発想 (Jiyūhassō) - Free thought; creativity without limits.
• 自由闊達 (Jiyūkattatsu) - Open and generous spirit; carefree behavior.
• 自由気まま (Jiyūkimama) - Act according to one's own will; carefree.
• 自由思想 (Jiyūshisō) - Liberal ideas; thoughts that promote freedom.
• 自由経済 (Jiyūkeizai) - Free market economy; an economy without government interventions.
• 自由放送 (Jiyūhōsō) - Free broadcasting; freedom in the transmission of information.
• 自由世界 (Jiyūsekai) - Free world; societies that value freedom.
• 自由民主 (Jiyūminshu) - Liberal democracy; a political system that values individual freedom.
• 自由主義者 (Jiyūshugisha) - Liberal; someone who advocates for the principles of freedom.

自由

Romaji: jiyuu
Kana: じゆう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: freedom; autonomy; as you like

Meaning in English: freedom;liberty;as it pleases you

Definition: A state in which one is not restricted by others or by the system.

Example Sentences - (自由) jiyuu

See below some example sentences:

言論の自由は重要です。

Genron no jiyuu wa juuyou desu

Freedom of expression is important.

Freedom of expression is important.

• 言論 - means "freedom of expression" in Japanese.
• の - a possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that the previous word is the possessor of the following word.
• 自由 - means "freedom" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the previous word is the subject of the sentence.
• 重要 - means "important" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative.

野生の動物は自由に生きることができる。

Yasei no doubutsu wa jiyuu ni ikiru koto ga dekiru

Wild animals can live freely.

Wild animals can live freely.

• 野生の動物 - Wild animals
• は - Topic particle
• 自由に - Freely
• 生きる - Live
• ことができる - To be able to

羽を持つ鳥は自由に飛ぶことができる。

Hane wo motsu tori wa jiyuu ni tobu koto ga dekiru

A bird with wings can fly freely.

Birds with wings can fly freely.

• 羽を持つ鳥 - Feathered birds
• は - Topic particle
• 自由に - Freely
• 飛ぶ - Fly
• ことができる - Able to do

自由は人間の基本的な権利です。

Jiyuu wa ningen no kihonteki na kenri desu

Freedom is a fundamental right of human beings.

Freedom is the basic right of humans.

• 自由 - freedom
• は - Topic particle
• 人間 - Human being
• の - Possession particle
• 基本的な - basic
• 権利 - right
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

未婚は自由だ。

Mikon wa jiyuu da

Being single is freedom.

Being single is free.

• 未婚 - means "single" or "unmarried".
• は - topic particle, which indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 自由 - means "freedom".
• だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense.

創作は自由な表現です。

Sousaku wa jiyuu na hyougen desu

Creation is a free expression.

Creation is a freedom of expression.

• 創作 (sousaku) - Creation, production
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自由 (jiyuu) - Freedom
• な (na) - Particle that emphasizes the adjective that comes before.
• 表現 (hyougen) - Expression, representation
• です (desu) - Polite form of "to be" or "to stay"

アメリカは自由と民主主義の象徴です。

Amelika wa jiyū to minshu shugi no shōchō desu

America is a symbol of freedom and democracy.

The United States is a symbol of freedom and democracy.

• アメリカ - America
• は - Topic particle
• 自由 - freedom
• と - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
• 民主主義 - democracy
• の - Possession particle
• 象徴 - symbol
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

不自由な人生を送るのは辛いです。

Fujuyuu na jinsei wo okuru no wa tsurai desu

It is painful to live a crucial life.

• 不自由な - adjective that means "not free," "restricted"
• 人生 - substantive that means "life"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 送る - verb that means "to send"
• の - particle that indicates a nominal phrase
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 辛い - adjective that means "difficult," "painful"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and respectful form of the sentence

独立は自由をもたらす。

Dokuritsu wa jiyuu wo motarasu

Independence brings freedom.

• 独立 (dokuritsu) - independence
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 自由 (jiyuu) - freedom
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• もたらす (motarasu) - bring, provide

私は自由主義者です。

Watashi wa jiyū shugisha desu

I am a liberal.

I am a liberalist.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 自由主義者 (jiyuu shugi sha) - "リベラル" (riberaru) é a palavra em japonês para "liberal".
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese