フリー
ふりー
na-adjective / noun
free, freelance
1.
freelance, independent
Working independently without being permanently employed by a particular company or organization.
彼女はフリーライターだ。
She is a freelance writer.
会社を辞めて、フリーで働くことにした。
I quit the company and decided to work freelance.
2.
free, unrestricted
Not bound by rules, charges, or restrictions. Used in compound words and set phrases.
フリーWi-Fiが使える場所を探している。
I'm looking for a place with free Wi-Fi.
フリー is a loanword from English "free."
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- フリーランス (freelance)
- フリーライター (freelance writer)
- フリーター (part-time worker without a permanent job — from "free" + German "Arbeiter")
- フリーWi-Fi (free Wi-Fi)
- フリーダイヤル (toll-free number)
- バリアフリー (barrier-free, accessible)
- ストレスフリー (stress-free)
Note: フリー does not mean "free" in the sense of "free of charge" — that is 無料 or ただ. In フリーWi-Fi, the nuance is "freely available" rather than emphasizing the lack of cost.