1.
unreserved seat; non-reserved seat
A seat that is available on a first-come, first-served basis without prior reservation.
自由席は早い者勝ちだ。
Unreserved seats are first-come, first-served.
自由席なら予約なしで乗れる。
With unreserved seats, you can ride without a reservation.
自由席車両は混んでいた。
The unreserved seat car was crowded.
FORMATION:
自由 (free/unrestricted) + 席 (seat)
CONTRAST:
- 自由席 - unreserved seat (cheaper, no guarantee of seat)
- 指定席 - reserved seat (guaranteed seat for extra fee)
COLLOCATIONS:
- 自由席に座る - to sit in an unreserved seat
- 自由席車両 - unreserved seat car
- 自由席券 - unreserved seat ticket
TRAIN CONTEXT:
On the Shinkansen, unreserved cars (自由席車両) are typically at the ends of the train. During busy times, passengers may have to stand.
COST:
自由席 is cheaper than 指定席 because no 指定席料金 (reserved seat fee) is charged.
Related Words
Antonym:
指定席 (reserved seat)