自由席(じゆうせき)

じゆうせき
noun
unreserved seat
transportationtravel
1. unreserved seat; non-reserved seat
A seat that is available on a first-come, first-served basis without prior reservation.
自由席(じゆうせき)は早(はや)い者(もの)勝(が)ちだ。
Unreserved seats are first-come, first-served.
早(はや)い者(もの)勝(が)ち is a set phrase: "first come, first served."
自由席(じゆうせき)なら予約(よやく)なしで乗(の)れる。
With unreserved seats, you can ride without a reservation.
自由席(じゆうせき)車両(しゃりょう)は混(こ)んでいた。
The unreserved seat car was crowded.
自由席(じゆうせき)の方(ほう)が指定席(していせき)より安(やす)い。
Unreserved seats are cheaper than reserved seats.
朝(あさ)早(はや)い電車(でんしゃ)なら自由席(じゆうせき)でも座(すわ)れると思(おも)う。
If you take an early morning train, I think you can get a seat even in the unreserved cars.

Forms

自由(じゆう) (free, unrestricted) + 席(せき) (seat)

Similar words

Common collocations

Train context

On the Shinkansen, the unreserved cars are usually at one end of the train. At busy times passengers in them may have to stand for the whole journey.

Cost

自由席(じゆうせき) is cheaper than 指定席(していせき) because no 指定席(していせき)料金(りょうきん) (reserved-seat fee) is charged on top of the base fare.

Related Words

Antonym: 指定席(していせき) (reserved seat)
Related: グリーン車(しゃ) (Green Car (first-class train car))
Related: 立(た)ち見(み) (standing room only)
Related: 座席指定(ざせきしてい) (reserved seating)
Compare: 全席(ぜんせき) (all seats)
core
Added 2026.1.19 7:21 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
07000/07047_jiyuuseki