01
unfreiwillig
involuntary
Happening against one's own will or without one's own intention.
example
Er legte eine unfreiwillige Pause ein, weil der Zug Verspätung hatte.
He took an involuntary break because the train was delayed.
unfreiwillig
involuntary / unintentional
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word is structured simply: it is the negation of 'freiwillig' (voluntary). The prefix 'un-' reverses the meaning of 'aus eigenem Willen' (of one's own free will).
EXAMPLE
Er musste eine unfreiwillige Überstunde machen.
He had to work an involuntary hour of overtime.
Sentence structure and usage
'Unfreiwillig' (involuntary/unintentional) can be used as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb that describes the manner of an action.
EXAMPLE
Der Streik führte zu einer unfreiwilligen Arbeitspause. (Adjektiv)
The strike led to an involuntary work break. (Adjective)
Typical collocation
In the meaning of 'unintentionally funny', the word is very often used in the fixed expression 'unfreiwillige Komik' (unintentional comedy). This combination describes a situation that is funny without that being intended.
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker sorgte mit seinem Fehler für unfreiwillige Komik.
The politician's mistake created unintentional comedy.
Compare with
unfreiwillig vs zufällig
random / by chance
'zufällig' and 'unfreiwillig' can both mean that something does not happen intentionally. 'zufällig' means that something happens by chance and was not planned. It can be neutral or even positive. 'unfreiwillig' emphasizes that someone did not want something or did not do it on purpose; the situation is often unpleasant, embarrassing, or funny. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with a lack of intention. The difference is: 'zufällig' is about chance, while 'unfreiwillig' is about the person's will.
unfreiwillig
Beim Vortrag wurde Max unfreiwillig komisch, weil sein Mikrofon plötzlich ausfiel.
During the presentation, Max became unintentionally funny because his microphone suddenly cut out.
zufällig
Nach der Arbeit trifft Lisa zufällig ihre alte Schulfreundin im Supermarkt.
After work, Lisa runs into her old school friend by chance at the supermarket.
In real life
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