voluntary
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voluntary / unpaid
An activity that one does voluntarily and without pay, often for a social, charitable, or church-related purpose.
Viele Menschen engagieren sich ehrenamtlich bei der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr.
Many people volunteer with the volunteer fire department.
The word is composed of 'Ehre' (honor) and 'Amt' (office/position). So it describes an activity that one does not do for money, but 'der Ehre halber' (for the sake of honor).
Sein ehrenamtliches Engagement im Sportverein ist bewundernswert.
His volunteer work at the sports club is admirable.
'Ehrenamtlich' (voluntary/unpaid) can be used as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb to describe a verb. The form does not change in the process.
Sie leistet ehrenamtliche Arbeit im Altersheim.
She does volunteer work in a retirement home.
Common verbs used with 'ehrenamtlich' (voluntarily/as a volunteer) are 'sich engagieren' (to get involved/volunteer), 'arbeiten' (to work), or 'tätig sein' (to be active/work). It often describes a 'Tätigkeit' (activity) or an 'Engagement' (commitment/involvement).
Viele Studierende engagieren sich ehrenamtlich.
Many students volunteer.
voluntary
Freiwillig emphasizes that someone acts by their own choice and without coercion. Ehrenamtlich refers more specifically to voluntary, unpaid work serving a charitable, social, or public purpose. A single act of help can be freiwillig, whereas a regular role in an association is ehrenamtlich.
Lena arbeitet ehrenamtlich als Jugendtrainerin im Verein.
Lena works as a volunteer youth coach at the association.
Lena hilft freiwillig beim Aufräumen nach dem Vereinsfest.
Lena is voluntarily helping clean up after the association's celebration.
