自由 — meaning in English: free

zìyóu · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for freedom

一般

yībān

自由

zìyóu

竞争

jìngzhēng

税收

shuìshōu

斗争

dòuzhēng

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Mandarin Chinese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use 自由 (zìyóu) in discussions about personal liberty, such as expressing opinions on political matters, or in everyday situations like talking about free time or the freedom to choose. For example, you might hear someone say, '我想要自由的生活' (I want a free life) when discussing their aspirations.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 解放 (jiěfàng), which means 'liberation,' but 自由 (zìyóu) is more about the ongoing state of being free rather than the act of becoming free. You would choose 自由 when discussing personal freedom in a more holistic sense, while 解放 might be reserved for more intense contexts, such as political liberation.

Culture

The word 自由 (zìyóu) has deep cultural roots in Chinese philosophy, particularly in Confucianism and Daoism, where the concept of freedom is intertwined with the idea of harmony and balance in life. Interestingly, the character 自 (zì) means 'self,' and 由 (yóu) can be translated as 'to follow' or 'to allow,' which together emphasize the notion of being able to act according to one's own will.

FAQ

Q.What does 自由 mean in English?

自由 (zìyóu) translates to 'free' in English, referring to the state of being unrestricted or having the ability to act as one pleases.

Q.How is 自由 used in everyday conversation?

You can use 自由 in various contexts, such as expressing desires for freedom ('我想要自由的生活' - I want a free life), or discussing free time activities ('我有很多自由时间' - I have a lot of free time).

Q.Are there any common mistakes with 自由?

One common mistake is confusing 自由 (zìyóu) with 便宜 (piányí), which means 'cheap.' While both words can imply a sense of lack of cost or restriction in different contexts, 自由 strictly refers to freedom, not affordability.

Learn mandarin chinese with Maspeak →

Chinese (Mandarin) 2000