フリーランス

ふりーらんす
noun, no-adjective
freelance; freelancer
1. freelance; freelancer
A person who works independently rather than being employed by a company, typically on a project or contract basis.
フリーランスとして(はたら)いている。
I work as a freelancer.
会社(かいしゃ)()めてフリーランスになった。
I quit my company and became a freelancer.
2. freelance (work style)
A style of working independently without a permanent employer.
フリーランスの仕事(しごと)自由(じゆう)だが不安定(ふあんてい)だ。
Freelance work is free but unstable.

LOANWORD:
From English 'freelance.'

REGISTER:
Neutral. Common in business and work discussions.

ABBREVIATION:
Sometimes shortened to フリー in casual speech.

RELATED TERMS:

  • 自営業(じえいぎょう): self-employed
  • 個人事業主(こじんじぎょうぬし): sole proprietor
  • リモートワーク: remote work
  • ノマド: digital nomad

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Freelancing has become increasingly popular in Japan, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, traditional employment (正社員(せいしゃいん)) is still more culturally valued.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • フリーランスになる: to become a freelancer
  • フリーランスで(はたら)く: to work freelance
  • フリーランスエンジニア: freelance engineer