Translation guide
Expressing that an action is done by one's own free will, without being forced or paid.
The subject does something because they want to, not because they have to.
Adverb meaning 'spontaneously' or 'voluntarily', emphasizing internal motivation.
彼は自発的に手伝ってくれた。
He voluntarily helped me.
Literally 'by one's own will'. Very natural for emphasizing personal choice.
Doing work without receiving money, often for charity or experience.
Means 'without compensation'. Used for unpaid work or services.
彼は無償でボランティアをしている。
He volunteers voluntarily (without pay).
Using the loanword 'volunteer' as an adverb. Very common for unpaid voluntary work.
Doing something proactively, without a request or order.
The English word 'voluntarily' is often translated as 自発的に, but in many natural Japanese sentences, phrases like 自分から or 進んで are more common. Using 自発的に in casual speech can sound stiff.
自分の意思で参加しました。
I participated voluntarily.
Means 'willingly' or 'eagerly'. Often used when someone does something without hesitation.
彼女は進んでその仕事を引き受けた。
She voluntarily took on that task.
Means 'optionally' or 'at one's discretion'. Often used in formal contexts like forms or rules.
参加は任意です。
Participation is voluntary.
週末にボランティアで教えています。
I teach voluntarily on weekends.
言われなくても片付けた。
I cleaned up voluntarily.