FREE button
Unicode: 1F193
Description
A white square with a red outline featuring the Japanese kanji character for 'free' or 'no charge'.
Group:
Symbols > alphanum
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Represents something being free of charge or available without cost. Can also imply availability or vacancy.
Backstory
This emoji originated from Japanese mobile carrier pictograms and was later adopted into Unicode. The character 'η‘' (mu) means 'nothing' or 'none', and in this context, 'free of charge'. It reflects a common sign seen in Japan for things like 'free Wi-Fi' or 'vacant parking spaces'.
Usage Examples
- Indicating free parking: 'Parking available here! π ΏοΈπ³'
- Signifying free Wi-Fi: 'Free Wi-Fi! πΆπ³'
- Denoting a free service: 'Entrance π³'
- Referring to something being empty or available (e.g., a seat): 'Seat π³'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Less commonly recognized as 'free' unless the context (like a price tag) is clearly visible. Often misinterpreted or seen as a generic Asian character. Some might confuse it with a parking sign if not familiar with the character's meaning.
East Asian culture:
Widely understood as 'free' (as in no charge) or 'empty/available'. Used frequently in shops, services, and parking lots to denote a free or vacant status.