free state; free country
A country or state that is free, often in a political or ideological sense. May be used in historical contexts (e.g., Free State of Bavaria) or in general discussion of liberty.
In a free country, freedom of speech is guaranteed.
He dreamed of emigrating to a free country.
Compound of 自由 (freedom) + 国 (country). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning 'free state'.