Japanese word

ボランティア

Pronunciation

Romajiborantia

Meaning

  • nounvolunteer

Example

週末はボランティアをします。shū matsu wa bo ra n ti a o shi ma su

I volunteer on weekends.

Illustration for ボランティア (volunteer)

More examples

駅でボランティアに道を案内してもらいました。eki de bo ra n ti a ni michi o an nai shi te mo ra i ma shi ta

I had a volunteer show me the way at the station.

Core concept

A volunteer gives effort willingly to help others or advance a shared purpose without receiving regular wages.

Common phrases

  • ボランティアの仕事bo ra n ti a no shi goto

    volunteer work

  • ボランティアを探すbo ra n ti a o saga su

    look for volunteers

  • ボランティアを必要とするbo ra n ti a o hitsu yō to su ru

    need volunteers

  • ボランティアに感謝するbo ra n ti a ni kan sha su ru

    thank a volunteer

Similar words

奉仕者hōshisha: A person who serves others or a cause, often without receiving regular pay.
有志yūshi: A willing participant who supports a particular cause or activity.
志願者shigansha: A person who freely offers to take a role or join an activity.

Definition in Japanese

自分から進んで、報酬を受けずに人や社会に役立つ活動をする人。ji bun ka ra susu n de hō shū o u ke zu ni hito ya sha kai ni yaku da tsu katsu dō o su ru hito

Word origin

The English source volunteer derives from French volontaire and Latin voluntarius, "willing," and the Japanese form ボランティア (borantia) is borrowed from English.

Usage tips

  • English uses volunteer both as a noun for a person and as a verb for offering to help, as in volunteer at a school or volunteer to lead a project.

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