frei
available
Not occupied, taken, or reserved; available.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Stuhl noch frei?
Excuse me, is this chair still available?
frei
free
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Meanings
frei haben
to have off
Not to have work or other obligations, such as school.
EXAMPLE
Nächsten Freitag habe ich frei, da könnten wir uns treffen.
I have next Friday off, so we could meet then.
frei
free
Not captured, locked up, or restricted in one's movement.
EXAMPLE
Der Vogel ist aus dem Käfig entkommen und fliegt jetzt frei herum.
The bird escaped from the cage and is now flying around freely.
frei
free of charge
Free of charge; without having to pay for it.
EXAMPLE
Für Kinder unter sechs Jahren ist der Eintritt frei.
Admission is free for children under six.
frei
free
Independent and not determined by coercion, rules, or external influences.
EXAMPLE
Jeder Mensch sollte das Recht haben, seine Entscheidungen frei zu treffen.
Every person should have the right to make their decisions freely.
frei von
free of
Not containing something or not being burdened by it.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Joghurt ist frei von Zucker und künstlichen Aromen.
This yogurt is free of sugar and artificial flavors.
im Freien
outdoors
Outside, in the fresh air; not in an enclosed space.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem schönen Wetter machen wir ein Picknick im Freien.
With this beautiful weather, we're having a picnic outdoors.
frei erfunden
completely made up
Not based on facts; completely invented.
EXAMPLE
Seine abenteuerliche Ausrede war offensichtlich frei erfunden.
His adventurous excuse was obviously completely made up.
Usage tips
Word family
The word family of 'frei' includes 'die Freiheit' (freedom), the verb 'befreien' (to free/liberate), and the noun 'der Freiraum' (free space or personal freedom).
EXAMPLE
Die Gefangenen wurden nach vielen Jahren befreit.
The prisoners were freed after many years.
Word formation with '-frei'
The word 'frei' is often used as an ending in compound adjectives and then means 'without' or 'free of'. Examples are 'zuckerfrei' (sugar-free), 'alkoholfrei' (alcohol-free), or 'fehlerfrei' (error-free).
EXAMPLE
Ich trinke am liebsten alkoholfreies Bier.
I prefer drinking non-alcoholic beer.
'frei sein' vs. 'frei haben'
These two expressions are often confused. A seat or an appointment 'ist frei' (is available). A person 'hat frei' (has time off/does not have to work).
EXAMPLE
Der Platz neben mir ist noch frei.
The seat next to me is still available.
Use of 'frei haben'
The expression 'frei haben' (to have off) always refers to a break from regular obligations such as work or school. The subject is always a person.
EXAMPLE
Die Schüler haben nächste Woche wegen eines Feiertags frei.
The students have next week off because of a public holiday.
Context: Free of charge
In the meaning 'kostenlos' (free of charge), 'frei' is often found on signs, in advertisements, or in official offers. A typical phrase is 'Eintritt frei' (free admission).
EXAMPLE
Die Lieferung ist ab einem Bestellwert von 50 Euro frei.
Delivery is free for orders over 50 euros.
Construction with 'von'
The construction 'frei von' + noun in the dative means that something is not present. It is often used for ingredients or abstract things like worries.
EXAMPLE
Das Produkt ist frei von künstlichen Farbstoffen.
The product is free of artificial colorings.
Fixed expression 'im Freien'
The expression 'im Freien' is a fixed phrase and means 'outside' or 'in the fresh air'. 'Freien' is a nominalized adjective in the dative here.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns heute Abend im Freien essen.
Let's eat outdoors this evening.
Fixed expression
The combination 'frei erfunden' (completely made up) is a fixed expression. It describes a story or claim that is completely invented and not true.
EXAMPLE
Die ganze Geschichte von seinem Lottogewinn war nur frei erfunden.
The whole story about his lottery win was just completely made up.
Compare with
losoffenkostenlosunabhängigleergratisverfügbarumsonstoffauswendiguneingeschränktblancungehindertunentgeltlichledigselbstbestimmtunbesetzt
frei vs los
go / loose
When referring to an animal, “los” and “frei” can mean that it is no longer being held. “Los” often suggests that the animal has escaped or that the situation is unwanted, while “frei” more often expresses permitted freedom of movement. Use “los” when an animal escapes and “frei” when it is deliberately released.
frei
Nach dem Spaziergang ließ die Besitzerin den Hund im Garten frei.
After the walk, the owner let the dog run free in the garden.
los
Als die Tür offen blieb, war der Hund plötzlich los.
When the door was left open, the dog suddenly got loose.
In real life
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