免费

• Pinyin: miǎn fèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 免 = a person escaping (避) — to exempt; 费 = 弗 (not, phonetic) + 贝 (shell/money) — fee, cost

Meaning

Free of charge; complimentary; no cost. Something provided without requiring payment.

Can function as an adjective (免费的服务 free service), adverb (免费提供 provided for free), or verb phrase (这个免费 this is free). Extremely common in commercial and service contexts. Often seen in signs, advertisements, and online services. 免费试用 (free trial) is very common in the digital age.

Examples

1. 这个博物馆每周三对学生免费开放。 This museum is open free of charge to students every Wednesday.
2. 商场门口有人在免费发放试用品。 There are people giving out free samples in front of the mall.
3. 这个手机应用可以免费下载。 This mobile app can be downloaded for free.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, services, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请问这里的WiFi是免费的吗？(Excuse me, is the WiFi here free?)
• 六岁以下的儿童免费入场。(Children under six get in free.)

Don't Say

• 这个东西是自由的 — 自由 means 'freedom' (political/personal), not 'free of charge'; always use 免费 for no-cost items

Origin & History

免 means 'to exempt' or 'to avoid' and 费 means 'fee' or 'cost.' Together: exempt from fees — free of charge.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal