Japanese Symbol for
自由jiyū
freedom · liberty · independence
Readings
Meaning
Freedom, liberty, independence, as it pleases you. 自由 literally means "by one's own reason/will" — acting according to oneself. It is the standard modern Japanese word for freedom and liberty.
Example words
自由主義
jiyū-shugi
liberalism
自由時間
jiyū-jikan
free time, leisure time
自由の身
jiyū no mi
free person, at liberty
不羈
fuki
freedom, independence, being unbound
不自由
fujiyū
inconvenience, restriction, lack of freedom
自由化
jiyū-ka
liberalization, deregulation
自由 was introduced to Japan in the Meiji era (1868–1912) as a translation of the Western concept of "liberty." The 自由民権運動 (Jiyū Minken Undō — Freedom and People's Rights Movement) in the 1870s–80s demanded constitutional government and civil liberties, making 自由 a politically charged word from its earliest use.
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