Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'volunteer' depends on whether you mean the person, the action, or the concept. The loanword ボランティア is common for organized volunteering, while native terms like 志願者 and 篤志家 are more formal or literary. For the verb 'to volunteer', phrases like ボランティアをする or 自ら進んで～する are used.
volunteer (person)
volunteer work
to volunteer (do volunteer work)
Referring to someone who does unpaid work for a cause or organization.
The most common and neutral term for a volunteer in modern Japanese, used for both individuals and the activity itself.
He works as a volunteer on weekends.
Literally 'applicant' or 'volunteer', often used in formal contexts like military or organizational volunteering.
A literary term for a philanthropist or volunteer, implying deep commitment. Rare in everyday speech.
Referring to the act of doing volunteer work.
Expressing the action of offering to do something without being asked.
A natural pattern meaning 'to voluntarily do something' or 'to do something of one's own accord'. Replace ～ with the action.
He volunteered to help.
Means 'to offer to do something'. Often used in formal situations.
To volunteer for a role or duty, often used in military or formal organizational contexts.
He volunteered for the military.
Describing something done without pay or obligation.
English 'volunteer' as a verb (e.g., 'He volunteered to help') doesn't have a single direct equivalent. Use patterns like 自ら進んで～する or ～を申し出る instead of trying to use ボランティア as a verb.
He volunteered to help.
ボランティア is widely understood and used in modern Japanese, especially for organized volunteering. It can refer to both the person and the activity, similar to English.
She volunteers at the hospital every Saturday.
We need more volunteers for the event.
志願者を募集中です。
We are recruiting volunteers.
彼は篤志家として知られている。
He is known as a philanthropist.
Refers to service activities, often with a connotation of selfless service. Used in contexts like community service.
Service activities contribute to society.
He offered to help with the work.
Voluntary participation is expected.