German word

ehrenamtlich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈeːʁənˌamtlɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivevolunteer

Example

Sie macht ehrenamtliche Arbeit im Krankenhaus.

She does volunteer work at the hospital.

Illustration for ehrenamtlich (volunteer)

More examples

Viele Menschen leisten ehrenamtliche Arbeit nach Feierabend.

Many people do volunteer work after work.

Core concept

A community helper carrying out an official responsibility without receiving pay.

Common phrases

  • ehrenamtliche Hilfe

    volunteer help

  • ehrenamtlicher Einsatz

    volunteer service

  • im ehrenamtlichen Bereich

    in the volunteer sector

Similar words

freiwillig: Undertaken by personal choice and free will.
unbezahlt: Not receiving wages or other payment.
unentgeltlich: Provided with no fee or financial compensation.
hauptamtlich: Performed as a salaried occupation or regular professional duty.

Definition in German

Eine freiwillig und oft ehrenhalber ohne Bezahlung verrichtete Aufgabe oder Funktion.

Word origin

Ehrenamtlich comes from Ehrenamt, a compound of Ehre ('honor') and Amt ('office' or 'position'), plus the adjective-forming suffix -lich.

Usage tips

  • Freiwillig means chosen freely and does not by itself imply unpaid service, whereas ehrenamtlich normally describes unpaid service in an organized role.

Other meanings

  • unpaidadjective
  • voluntaryadjective

Opposites

  • entgeltlichpaidadjective

Related words

  • Ehrenamtvolunteer worknoun
  • Ehrenamtlerinfemale volunteernoun
  • Ehrenamtsarbeitvolunteer worknoun

Word lists with this word