released / optional
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released from duties
Describes a person who has been released from their professional duties, often while continuing to be paid, for example after being dismissed.
Nach Bekanntgabe des Wechsels wurde der Trainer mit sofortiger Wirkung freigestellt.
After the change was announced, the coach was released from his duties with immediate effect.
'Freigestellt' is the past participle of the separable verb 'freistellen'. It is made up of 'frei' (free) and 'stellen' (to put/place). The participle form is 'frei-ge-stellt', which shows that it comes from a separable verb.
Der Arbeitgeber muss den Mitarbeiter für die Fortbildung freistellen.
The employer has to release the employee for the training course.
In the meaning 'to have the choice', a fixed structure is used: 'Es ist jemandem freigestellt, etwas zu tun' (someone is free to do something / it is up to someone to do something). The person who has the choice is always in the dative.
Es ist Ihnen freigestellt, ob Sie bar oder mit Karte zahlen.
It is up to you whether you pay in cash or by card.
This meaning is used almost exclusively in a professional context. It describes the situation when an employee no longer has to come to work but continues to receive their salary, often after being dismissed.
Der Manager wurde bis zum Ende seiner Vertragslaufzeit freigestellt.
The manager was released from his duties until the end of his contract term.
In this meaning, 'freigestellt' is a technical term from photography and graphic design. It describes an image in which the main subject has been separated from the background.
Das freigestellte Produktfoto kann nun auf der Webseite platziert werden.
The cut-out product photo can now be placed on the website.
As a participle, 'freigestellt' is often used with the auxiliary verbs 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become / to be). 'Wird freigestellt' describes the process (process passive), while 'ist freigestellt' describes the result or state (stative passive).
Der Mitarbeiter wird ab morgen freigestellt.
The employee will be released from his duties starting tomorrow.
voluntary
'freiwillig' and 'freigestellt' can both mean that something is not mandatory. 'freiwillig' describes the action itself: someone does something of their own free will. 'jemandem ist etwas freigestellt' means that someone has the choice whether to do something or not. This often sounds somewhat more formal. Learners may confuse the words because both express a free decision. Remember: 'freiwillig' fits well with what someone does; 'freigestellt' fits a permission or rule that leaves a choice.
Es ist den Mitarbeitern freigestellt, ob sie an der Schulung teilnehmen.
It is up to the employees whether they take part in the training.
Im Urlaub habe ich freiwillig einen Deutschkurs besucht, weil mich die Sprache interessiert.
On vacation, I voluntarily attended a German course because I am interested in the language.