volunteer position
das Ehrenamt, die Ehrenämter
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volunteer position
An activity carried out voluntarily and without pay for the common good or for an organization.
Viele Menschen engagieren sich in ihrer Freizeit in einem Ehrenamt bei der freiwilligen Feuerwehr.
Many people volunteer in their free time in a volunteer position with the volunteer fire department.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ehrenämter |
| genitive | des Ehrenamts |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Ehrenamt | die Ehrenämter |
| accusative | das Ehrenamt | die Ehrenämter |
| dative | dem Ehrenamt | den Ehrenämtern |
| genitive | des Ehrenamts des Ehrenamtes | der Ehrenämter |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word is made up of 'Ehre' (honor) and 'Amt' (office/position). So it literally describes an 'office that one performs for honor' and not for money. This explains why the activity is unpaid.
Sie übt ihr Ehrenamt mit großem Engagement aus.
She carries out her volunteer position with great commitment.
Important related words are derived from 'Ehrenamt' (volunteer position). The activity itself is described with the adjective 'ehrenamtlich' (voluntary/volunteer), and a person who performs it is called 'ein Ehrenamtlicher' or 'eine Ehrenamtliche' (a volunteer).
Er arbeitet als ehrenamtlicher Helfer im Tierheim.
He works as a volunteer helper at the animal shelter.
To talk about this activity, people often use fixed verb combinations. Typical ones are 'ein Ehrenamt ausüben' (to carry out a volunteer position), 'ein Ehrenamt übernehmen' (to take on a volunteer position), or the more general phrase 'sich ehrenamtlich engagieren' (to volunteer / to do volunteer work).
Nächstes Jahr möchte ich ein Ehrenamt im Sportverein übernehmen.
Next year I would like to take on a volunteer position at the sports club.
