無償

• Reading: むしょう
• Romaji: mushou
• Kanji breakdown: 無 (mu) — without, lacking; 償 (shou) — compensation, repayment, atonement
• Pronunciation: /mɯ.ɕoː/

Meaning

Free of charge; without compensation; gratuitous. Something provided without payment or reward.

A no-adjective/noun used in formal and legal contexts to describe services, goods, or actions provided without payment. 無償で提供する (provide free of charge), 無償の愛 (unconditional love), 無償支援 (free aid). More formal than 無料 (muryou, free) — 無償 emphasises the lack of compensation or reciprocation, while 無料 simply means 'no fee.'

Examples

1. このソフトウェアは無償で利用できる。 This software is available free of charge.
2. 彼女は無償でボランティア活動を続けている。 She continues her volunteer work without any compensation.
3. 親の無償の愛に感謝している。 I'm grateful for my parents' unconditional love.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business, philanthropy

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 無 (mu, without) + 償 (shou, compensation/repayment). Literally 'without repayment' — given freely with no expectation of return.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated