frei

Frei is a German adjective meaning "free" in several related senses: not constrained or bound, not occupied, or permitted and available. It can describe people (as in being at liberty), places (unoccupied or freely accessible), or conditions (not restricted). The word is used in a wide range of everyday and formal contexts, and it frequently appears in phrases such as frei zugänglich (freely accessible), frei von Schuld (not guilty), or freie Wahl (free choice). In contrast, opposites include gebunden, fest, or besetzt, depending on the context.

The noun form Freiheit means freedom or liberty, a central concept in political philosophy, ethics, and law. Related verbs include freigeben (to release or unlock) and freigeben lassen (to be released), with nouns such as Freigabe (release or approval). The adjective frei also functions in compounds indicating voluntariness or absence of charge, for example freiwillig (voluntary) and freier Eintritt (free admission) in event or policy language. In philosophy and social discourse, the idea of the “free will” is expressed as der freie Wille.

Etymologically, frei derives from Old High German frî, from Proto-Germanic *frijaz, a cognate of the English word free. The sense of not being bound or restrained developed into broader notions of liberty, availability, and permissibility over time.

Frei also occurs as a surname in German-speaking regions and appears in various proper names. As a term, it is a common building block in German and related languages, underpinning discussions of autonomy, rights, and social organization.