Free in different languages

Free in Different Languages

Discover 'Free' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'free' holds a special significance in our lives, representing liberty, independence, and absence of constraints. Its cultural importance is evident in various historical movements and philosophies that have championed freedom and autonomy. But have you ever wondered how 'free' is translated in different languages around the world?

Understanding the translation of 'free' in various languages can provide valuable insights into cultural nuances and societal values. For instance, in German, 'free' translates to 'frei,' which also means exempt or spared. Meanwhile, in Japanese, 'free' is translated as 'jiyū,' a term that embodies the concept of self-determination and autonomy. In Russian, 'svobodny' is the word for 'free,' reflecting the country's rich history of fighting for freedom and independence.

So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply curious, learning the translation of 'free' in different languages can be a fascinating journey. Here are some translations to get you started:

Free


Free in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansvry
In Afrikaans "vry" means "free" but also has the archaic meaning of "joyful".
Amharicፍርይ
In certain contexts, "ፍርይ" can also denote "release", "deliverance", or "exemption."
Hausakyauta
The word "kyauta" in Hausa can also refer to a gift or present.
Igbon'efu
The word "n'efu" in Igbo originally meant "to cut off" or "to separate", but over time it came to mean "free".
Malagasymaimaim-poana
Derived from the Malay "ma-ma" (to give) and from the Indonesian "poana" (to receive), "maimaim-poana" originally meant "to give and receive for free".
Nyanja (Chichewa)kwaulere
The word 'kwaulere' is also a name for a type of fish trap.
Shonamahara
The word 'mahara' is also used to describe an act of giving without expecting anything in return
Somalibilaash ah
The word 'bilaash ah' in Somali also means 'without cost or charge'.
Sesothomahala
Mahala translates to "free" but also refers to "the common people" in Sesotho.
Swahilibure
The Swahili word "bure" can also refer to something that is bad or evil.
Xhosasimahla
The Xhosa word 'simahla' also refers to something that is not difficult to do.
Yorubaọfẹ
"Ọfẹ" also means "without payment".
Zulumahhala
Mahhala is Zulu word related to "freedom" or "freedom of movement" and is thought to be derived from the concept of a clear or open path.
Bambaraka kunmabɔ
Ewefemaxe
Kinyarwandaubuntu
Lingalaofele
Lugandabwereere
Sepedilokologile
Twi (Akan)de ho

Free in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicمجانا
"مجانا" is said to originate from "مجّانا" which is the broken plural form of "مجّان". The word "مجّان" means "slave" and it might be that "مجّاناً" originally referred to something that is done without the involvement or help of a slave.
Hebrewחינם
The Hebrew word "חינם" means "free," but can also mean "in vain" or "without cost."
Pashtoوړیا
The word "وړیا" in Pashto can also mean "independent" or "liberated".
Arabicمجانا
"مجانا" is said to originate from "مجّانا" which is the broken plural form of "مجّان". The word "مجّان" means "slave" and it might be that "مجّاناً" originally referred to something that is done without the involvement or help of a slave.

Free in Western European Languages

Albanianfalas
It may be derived from Proto-Indo-European *pelh₁- (“to divide”) or Proto-Albanian *faljo (“to escape”).
Basquedoan
Doan also refers to the state of freedom from oppression, slavery or confinement in Basque.
Catalangratuït
The word "gratuït" (Catalan for "free") comes from the Latin word "gratuitus", which can also mean "voluntary".
Croatianbesplatno
"Besplatno" also means "unlucky" or "unsuccessful" in Croatian slang.
Danishledig
The word "ledig" can also refer to a vacancy or an opening.
Dutchvrij
The word 'vrij' in Dutch also means 'open' or 'unoccupied', and is related to the English word 'free'
Englishfree
The word 'free' traces its etymology to the Proto-Germanic root 'frijaz', meaning 'beloved', and has had historical connotations of nobility and liberality, reflecting its original meaning in Old English.
Frenchlibre
The word "libre" in French can also mean "book" or "available" depending on the context.
Frisianfrij
The Frisian word "frij" comes from the Proto-Germanic word "frijaz", meaning "beloved" or "desirable".
Galiciande balde
The Galician word "de balde" comes from the Latin "valde," and also means "a lot" or "very much."
Germankostenlos
The word 'kostenlos' literally translates to 'without costs' in German.
Icelandicókeypis
"Ókeypis" derives from the Old Norse word "auknum", meaning "without additional payment"
Irishsaor
The Irish word "saor" not only means "free", but also "noble" or "skilled."
Italiangratuito
In Italian, "gratuito" can also mean "unwarranted" or "unfounded".
Luxembourgishfräi
Malteselibera
In Maltese, "libera" not only means "free" but also refers to a type of traditional Maltese folk song typically sung at weddings, religious feasts, or other festive occasions.
Norwegiangratis
In Norwegian, "gratis" has an alternate meaning of "cheerful," possibly originating from the Middle Latin "gratus," meaning "pleasing."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)livre
The word "livre" in Portuguese can also mean "book". This is due to the fact that books were historically expensive and thus only available to the wealthy, who were considered "free".
Scots Gaelican-asgaidh
The Gaelic word “an-asgaidh” is used in Scottish Gaelic to describe something that is both “at leisure” and also of "no use".
Spanishgratis
In Spanish, "gratis" can also mean "thank you" or "please".
Swedishfri
The word "fri" in Swedish can also mean "generous" or "open-handed".
Welsham ddim
The word "am ddim" can also mean "nothing" or "gratis" in Welsh.

Free in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianбясплатна
In Polish, a cognate of “бясплатна” means “vain” or “useless”.
Bosnianbesplatno
The word "besplatno" is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word "бесплатьно", which originally meant "without pay" or "gratis".
Bulgarianбезплатно
The word "Безплатно" comes from the Old Church Slavonic "безъ плътъ", meaning "without payment".
Czechvolný, uvolnit
It also means "idle", "lazy" or "unused" (volný čas "free time").
Estoniantasuta
In Estonian, "tasuta" also means "without charge" or "gratis".
Finnishvapaa
The word "vapaa" is also the word for "empty", but its literal meaning is empty of slaves, so "free".
Hungarianingyenes
The Hungarian word "ingyenes" (free) derives from the Slavic root "inj" or "inji", meaning "other, different" or "not this one", indicating something obtained without compensation or payment.
Latvianbez maksas
"Bez maksas" can also refer to something given "without purpose".
Lithuanianlaisvas
The word "Laisvas" in Lithuanian can also mean "unoccupied" or "vacant".
Macedonianбесплатно
Derived from the Greek word "ατελής" (ate̱le̱s), meaning "exempt from a payment or tax".
Polishwolny
In Polish, "wolny" also means "slow" or "inactive", contrasting its common meaning of "free".
Romaniangratuit
In Romanian, "gratuit" also means "without pay", as in "gratuitous advice".
Russianсвободный
In Russian, "свободный" can also mean "available" or "unoccupied."
Serbianбесплатно
The word "бесплатно" in Serbian derives from the Old Slavic word "бьсть", meaning "gift" or "donation".
Slovakzadarmo
The word "zadarmo" in Slovak originally meant "without a gift".
Slovenianprost
The word 'prost' also means 'generous' and can be used as a greeting or a toast in some contexts.
Ukrainianбезкоштовно
The word "безкоштовно" derives from the Proto-Slavic word "*bezъ", meaning "without", and "*kosьтъ", meaning "cost" or "expense".

Free in South Asian Languages

Bengaliবিনামূল্যে
"বিনামূল্যে" derives from the Sanskrit word "vimūlya," meaning "without price"
Gujaratiમફત
The Gujarati word "મફત" originates from the Persian word "مفت" (mift) which also means "free".
Hindiनि: शुल्क
The Hindi word नि:शुल्क (ni:śulk) literally means 'without charge' and can also refer to things that are available without financial burden
Kannadaಉಚಿತ
The Kannada word "ಉಚಿತ" also refers to leisure time or being at one's disposal.
Malayalamസൗ ജന്യം
The word 'സൗ ജന്യം' in Malayalam literally means 'born of oneself', implying something that is not subject to external control or influence.
Marathiफुकट
Phukat is derived from the Sanskrit 'phukta' which means 'blown' or 'winnowed' and implies that something has been removed without effort hence it is 'free'.
Nepaliसित्तैमा
The word "सित्तैमा" is derived from the Sanskrit word "सिद्ध" meaning "accomplished" and "मा" meaning "without."
Punjabiਮੁਫਤ
The word 'ਮੁਫਤ' originated from the Persian word 'muft' which means 'cheap' or 'free of charge.'
Sinhala (Sinhalese)නිදහස්
The Sinhala word "නිදහස්" (free) is derived from the Sanskrit word "निर्धास्त" (nir-dhasta), meaning "without fear" or "secure".
Tamilஇலவசம்
இலவசம் also means being without cost, charge, or expense.
Teluguఉచితం
The word "ఉచితం" derives from the Sanskrit word "utsyah," meaning "enthusiasm" or "excitement."
Urduمفت
The word 'مفت' has its roots in the Persian language and literally means 'gratis' or 'without charge'.

Free in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)自由
自由 ('free') can also mean 'leisure' or 'relaxed' in Chinese.
Chinese (Traditional)自由
自由 evolved from "zì yóu" in Middle Chinese meaning "self-existence".
Japanese自由
The character 自由 (free) is often used in Japanese to refer to the concept of "liberty" or "independence".
Korean비어 있는
The term "비어 있다" (free) originates from the Buddhist concept of "emptiness," which refers to the inherent lack of an essential or fixed nature of all things.
Mongolianүнэгүй
The Mongolian word 'үнэгүй' can also mean 'gratis', 'without cost', or 'unpaid'.
Myanmar (Burmese)အခမဲ့

Free in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiangratis
The Indonesian word "gratis" originated from the Latin word "gratis" which also means "free of charge".
Javanesegratis
In Javanese, "gratis" can also refer to something that is obtained without effort or as a bonus or extra.
Khmerឥតគិតថ្លៃ
The term 'ឥតគិតថ្លៃ' ('free') is also used in Khmer to describe something that is 'worthless' or 'insignificant'.
Laoບໍ່ເສຍຄ່າ
The Lao word "ບໍ່ເສຍຄ່າ" literally means "not losing money" and is often used to describe things that are free of charge.
Malaypercuma
The word 'percuma' originates from the Sanskrit word 'pramāṇa', meaning 'proof, evidence'. In this sense, 'percuma' refers to something that is evident or obvious, and therefore does not require payment.
Thaiฟรี
The Thai word "ฟรี" (free) comes from the Pali language and has a rich history and various meanings, including "generous", "unrestricted", and "gratis".
Vietnamesemiễn phí
"Miễn phí" shares the same origin as "mien" (exempt), and also means "free of charge".
Filipino (Tagalog)libre

Free in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanipulsuz
The word "pulsuz" is derived from the Persian word "pul" (money) and the suffix "-suz" (without), meaning "without money".
Kazakhтегін
The word "Тегін" can also mean "naturally" or "by nature" in Kazakh, and is related to the word "туған" which means "born" or "native".
Kyrgyzакысыз
The Kyrgyz word "акысыз" can also refer to something that is gratuitous or undeserved.
Tajikозод
The word "озод" is a cognate of "Azād" in Persian, and its etymology can be traced back to the Avestan word "āzāta," meaning "unborn, not produced."
Turkmenmugt
Uzbekozod
The word "ozod" can also mean "independent" or "liberated".
Uyghurھەقسىز

Free in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianmanuahi
The word "manuahi" also means "free" in Hawaiian.
Maorikoreutu
The English word 'free' is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *pri-, meaning 'to love' or 'to be dear'.
Samoanleai se totogi
Leai se totogi comes from the verb 'totogi', which means 'to pay' or 'to compensate', and the negative prefix 'leai', meaning 'not'. Therefore, 'leai se totogi' literally means 'not to pay', which is how the concept of 'free' is expressed in Samoan.
Tagalog (Filipino)libre
"Libre" in Tagalog may also refer to a book or publication.

Free in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraqhisphita
Guaranireiguáva

Free in International Languages

Esperantosenpaga
The word "senpaga" is derived from the Latin word "sine" meaning "without" and the Esperanto word "pago" meaning "payment".
Latinliber
"Liber" can refer to the inner bark of a tree (especially papyrus), used as early writing material, hence the related word "library"

Free in Others Languages

Greekελεύθερος
The Greek word "ελεύθερος" originally meant "belonging to one's self" and also referred to the state of being a freeman or citizen, as opposed to a slave.
Hmongpub dawb
The word 'pub dawb' (free) in Hmong also refers to the freedom from obligations or restrictions.
Kurdishbelaş
The term 'belaş' is also commonly used in Kurdish colloquial language, meaning 'effortless' or 'without any cost'.
Turkishbedava
The Turkish word "bedava" originates from the Persian "bad-e-hava", meaning "spoiled by the air" or "worthless".
Xhosasimahla
The Xhosa word 'simahla' also refers to something that is not difficult to do.
Yiddishפרייַ
The Yiddish word "פרייַ" (frei) also means "serene, tranquil, calm," as in "a tranquil mind"
Zulumahhala
Mahhala is Zulu word related to "freedom" or "freedom of movement" and is thought to be derived from the concept of a clear or open path.
Assameseবিনামূলীয়া
Aymaraqhisphita
Bhojpuriबेपइसा के
Dhivehiހިލޭ
Dogriअजाद
Filipino (Tagalog)libre
Guaranireiguáva
Ilocanolibre
Kriofri
Kurdish (Sorani)ئازاد
Maithiliमुक्त
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯅꯤꯡ ꯝꯕ
Mizozalen
Oromobilisa
Odia (Oriya)ମାଗଣା |
Quechuaqispisqa
Sanskritनिःशुल्कः
Tatarбушлай
Tigrinyaነፃ
Tsongatshunxeka

Click on a letter to browse words starting with that letter