Freeter

フリーター Other possible spellings: Furītā, furiita, freeta, furiitaa, or furitaa.

Definition: A term for young people who are constantly unemployed or part-timers. Does not apply to students or housewives.

"The word freeter or freeta was first used around 1987 or 1988 and is thought to be an portmanteau of the English word free (or perhaps freelance) and the German word Arbeiter (labourer). Arubaito is a Japanese loanword from German."[1]

There's a stigma to being a freeter as they're looked upon as lazy freeloaders who just mooch off society.

Examples of Freeters

• One of the Net denizens on Densha Otoko is called a Freeter.

More Japanese

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