Word
不自由
Meaning in Englishdiscomfort, disability, inconvenience
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
What does 不自由 mean? It denotes a lack of freedom or a constraint on one's actions, describing a condition where one cannot act freely due to physical, social, or practical factors, rather than moral or political ideology alone.
Main meanings
- expresses a lack of freedom in action or movement, whether physical, social, or situational
- captures the sense of inconvenience or impracticality in daily life when options or paths are constrained
- can refer to a state of disability or mobility limitation, especially in contexts discussing accessibility or independence
How to use it
Used as a noun or na-adjective to describe situations where one is restricted, unable to act freely, or faced with practical obstacles. In formal writing, it appears in medical, legal, or policy contexts to discuss limitations, while in everyday speech it conveys personal or situational inconvenience without asserting a stance on freedom as a political concept.
Variants and close terms
- 不便 (ふべん, fuben) — inconvenience
- 制限される (せいげんされる, seigen sareru) — to be restricted
- 自由がない (じゆうがない, jiyuu ga nai) — not free
- 不自由さ (ふじゆうさ, fujiyuusa) — the state of being unable
Composition
- 不 = negation prefix meaning not or un-
- 自由 = freedom, liberty
- When combined, 不自由 conveys the idea of lacking freedom or being constrained
Word class
na-adjective (noun)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N2
自ら
mizukara
for one's self, personally
N3
自身
jishin
oneself, self
N3
自然
shizen
nature, natural, spontaneous
N3
自動
jidou
automatic, self-operating
N3
自慢
jiman
pride, boast
N3
経由
keiyu
via, through, by way of
N3
不通
futsuu
suspension, interruption, stoppage, tie-up, cessation
N3
自殺
jisatsu
suicide
N3
不
fu
un(~), non(~), negative prefix
Kanji