French word

bénévolat

Pronunciation

IPA/benevola/

Meaning

  • masculine nounvolunteering

Example

Je fais du bénévolat le week-end.

I do volunteer work on weekends.

Illustration for bénévolat (volunteering)

More examples

Après sa retraite, elle a commencé le bénévolat.

After her retirement, she started doing volunteer work.

Core concept

A willing pair of hands supporting a cause without a paycheck.

Common phrases

  • faire du bénévolat

    do volunteer work

  • s'engager dans le bénévolat

    engage in volunteer work

Similar words

bénévole: Someone who works without pay to assist a group or another person.
association: A nonprofit group formed by people pursuing a common purpose.
volontariat: Organized voluntary service for a set period, sometimes with training or an allowance.
solidarité: The willingness and action to support and help people facing difficulties.

Definition in French

Travail ou service effectué gratuitement en faveur d'une cause, d'une association ou de personnes, sans rémunération.

Word origin

French formed bénévolat from bénévole with the suffix -at; bénévole comes from Latin benevolus, meaning well-wishing.

Usage tips

  • The usual phrase is faire du bénévolat, with the partitive article du rather than a direct English-style object.

Opposites

  • emploi salariépaid employmentnoun

Related words

  • bénévolevolunteernoun
  • bénévolementon a volunteer basisadverb

Word lists with this word