German Conversation · Level 54
72 words
German word
unfreiwillig
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈʊnˌfʁaɪ̯ˌvɪlɪç/
Meaning
- adverbunwillingly
Example
Sie lächelte unfreiwillig.
She smiled unwillingly.
More examples
Im Gespräch hob er unfreiwillig die Stimme.
In conversation, he raised his voice involuntarily.
Core concept
An action happens without a person's intention or control, like a laugh that breaks out unexpectedly.
Common phrases
unfreiwillig lachen
laugh involuntarily
unfreiwillig die Stimme erheben
raise one's voice involuntarily
unfreiwillig die Augen schließen
close one's eyes involuntarily
Similar words
unwillkürlich: Automatically, as with a bodily or facial movement that happens on its own.
unabsichtlich: Without planning or intending an action or event.
versehentlich: By mistake, through carelessness or a failure to check something.
ungewollt: Without being desired or intended, often with an unwelcome result.
Definition in German
ohne eigene Absicht geschehen; nicht vom eigenen Willen bestimmt sein
Word origin
The adverb unfreiwillig comes from the negated adjective freiwillig, whose elements are frei, meaning free, and willig, meaning willing.
Usage tips
- As an adverb, unfreiwillig does not change, but its adjective form takes endings, as in ein unfreiwilliges Lächeln.
Other meanings
- involuntarilyadverb
Opposites
- freiwilligvoluntarilyadverb
- bewusstconsciouslyadverb
Related words
- Unfreiwilligkeitunwillingnessnoun
- unfreiwilligerweiseunwillinglyadverb