自由

• 拼音: zì yóu
• 汉字拆解: 自 = pictograph of a nose (pointing at oneself); 由 = pictograph of something emerging from a container — 'from'

含义

Freedom; free; liberty. The state of being unrestricted or having the ability to act as one wishes.

As a noun, 自由 means 'freedom' or 'liberty.' As an adjective, it means 'free' or 'unrestricted.' Used in everyday contexts (自由时间 — free time, 自由自在 — carefree) as well as more abstract or formal ones (言论自由 — freedom of speech). Common in casual conversation to describe a relaxed, unstructured state.

例句

1. 周末我有自由时间。
2. 大学生活比较自由。
3. 我喜欢自由地安排自己的时间。

用法指南

语境: everyday, lifestyle, discussion

语气: positive

正确说法

• 这份工作时间比较自由。(This job has fairly flexible hours.)
• 你自由的时候我们出去玩吧。(Let's go out when you're free.)

错误说法

• 这个东西是自由的。(Don't use 自由 for objects being 'free of charge' — that is 免费. 自由 is about freedom and liberty, not cost.)

起源与历史

Compound of 自 (self) and 由 (from, by, to follow), literally 'following from oneself' — acting according to one's own will.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal