adjective
liberated, exempt
B1
“Befreit” is the past participle adjective of befreien, meaning “liberated” (freed) or “exempt” (relieved from obligation). It’s non-gradable and commonly used predicatively: von etwas befreit sein (to be exempt from). As participle form, it derives from haben in perfect tenses.
Examples
Nachdem der Verdächtige freigesprochen worden war, fühlte seine Familie sich befreit, obwohl die Ermittlungen weiterliefen.
After the suspect had been acquitted, his family felt relieved, although the investigations continued.
Kinder unter fünf Jahren sind von der Gebühr befreit.
Children under five are exempt from the fee.
Die Gefangenen sind endlich befreit.
The prisoners are finally liberated.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture someone cutting chains and the word BEFREIT floating above them.
Sounds like 'bee-freed' — imagine a bee being freed.
Notes
befreit is a participial adjective from the verb befreien. It can mean 'liberated' (political/social context) or 'exempt' (legal/administrative context).