noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
without compensation; unpaid; gratuitous
Used for work, services, or transfers done without monetary reward, often in legal, business, or volunteer contexts.
He continues his volunteer work without compensation.
Gratuitous donations were collected.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
free of charge; complimentary
Used for goods or services provided at no cost to the recipient; similar to 無料 but often more formal or legal.
See also: 無料
This software is provided free of charge.
They distributed complimentary samples.
He works as a volunteer without pay.
The company provided the new software free of charge.
The mother poured unconditional love on her child.
有償 means 'paid' or 'with compensation', the direct opposite of 無償 which means 'without compensation' or 'free of charge'.
Compound of 無 (mu, 'without') and 償 (shō, 'compensation, recompense'). The kanji 償 carries the core meaning of making amends or paying back, giving 無償 the sense of something done without expectation of return.
free distribution