"The tomato was free."

Translation: Die Tomate war kostenlos.

[Druckles]

Why is 'frei' not acceptable here? What if the tomato was loose?

[Danmoller]

I believe the tomato could go running on the floor, free to go. "Frei"

[Soxi]

Frei is not used for something having no cost. It is used to say something is available, for example "Die Toilette its frei".

[Druckles]

And if the tomato was freely available?

[nighteagleowl]

Aha... so it is possible: “Die Toilette ist frei aber die ist nicht kostenlos“

[ZoranMudronja]

I wouldn't touch free tomato, thanks.

[Sharon580532]

So why offer 'hatte frei'?!