The Meaning of fujiyuu [不自由] In Japanese

不自由
ふじゆう
Romaji: fujiyuu N4

What does 不自由 mean?

Translation and Meaning

not free, lack of freedom, inconvenient, restricted

Definition

What does 不自由 mean? It denotes a lack of freedom or a constraint on one’s actions, describing a condition where one cannot act freely due to physical, social, or practical factors, rather than moral or political ideology alone.

Type

na-adjective (noun)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • expresses a lack of freedom in action or movement, whether physical, social, or situational
  • captures the sense of inconvenience or impracticality in daily life when options or paths are constrained
  • can refer to a state of disability or mobility limitation, especially in contexts discussing accessibility or independence

Composition

  • 不 = negation prefix meaning not or un-
  • 自由 = freedom, liberty
  • When combined, 不自由 conveys the idea of lacking freedom or being constrained

Usage

Used as a noun or na-adjective to describe situations where one is restricted, unable to act freely, or faced with practical obstacles. In formal writing, it appears in medical, legal, or policy contexts to discuss limitations, while in everyday speech it conveys personal or situational inconvenience without asserting a stance on freedom as a political concept.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: visualize a door labeled 自由 (freedom) that is blocked by the symbol 不, highlighting the core idea of ‘not free’ at a glance.

Variations

  • 不便 (ふべん, fuben) — inconvenience
  • 制限される (せいげんされる, seigen sareru) — to be restricted
  • 自由がない (じゆうがない, jiyuu ga nai) — not free
  • 不自由さ (ふじゆうさ, fujiyuusa) — the state of being unable

Words with the same Meaning

Example Phrases

  • 階段の多い 街で 私は 車いす 生活に 不自由 だ
    Kaidan no ooi machi de watashi wa kuruma-isu seikatsu ni fujiyuu da
    In a city with many stairs, my wheelchair life is inconvenient.
    Lista:
    • 階段の多い (kaidan no ooi) – many stairs
    • 街で (machi de) – in the city
    • 私は (watashi wa) – I
    • 車いす (kuruma-isu) – wheelchair
    • 生活に (seikatsu ni) – in daily life
    • 不自由 (fujiyuu) – inconvenience
    • だ (da) – is
    Here, 「不自由」 marks a state of being restricted; it is used with だ to describe the subject.
不自由