German word

freiwillig

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfʁaɪ̯vɪlɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbwillingly

Example

Er hat freiwillig geholfen.

He willingly helped.

Illustration for freiwillig (willingly)

More examples

Sie hat freiwillig gekündigt.

She resigned voluntarily.

Core concept

A person steps forward and acts by personal choice, with no one compelling the action.

Common phrases

  • freiwillig kündigen

    resign voluntarily

  • etwas freiwillig tun

    do something voluntarily

  • freiwillig spenden

    donate voluntarily

Similar words

gern: Eagerly and with pleasure when a request or opportunity arises.
bereitwillig: Willingly and promptly in response to a request.
aus freien Stücken: Through one's own free decision, without outside pressure.
ehrenamtlich: Providing service or support by choice and without pay.

Definition in German

ohne äußeren Zwang aus eigenem Willen handeln; etwas aus eigener Initiative tun

Word origin

Freiwillig combines German frei, meaning free, with willig, meaning willing, and continues the older form Middle High German vriwillic.

Usage tips

  • Freiwillig describes the absence of pressure, whereas gern mainly expresses that an action is enjoyed or welcomed.

Other meanings

  • voluntarilyadverb
  • of one's own accordadverb
  • voluntaryadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Freiwilligenarbeitvolunteer worknoun
  • Freiwilligkeitvoluntarinessnoun

Word lists with this word