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.
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.
彼は週末にボランティアとして働いています。
He works as a volunteer on weekends.
Literally 'applicant' or 'volunteer', often used in formal contexts like military or organizational volunteering.
志願者を募集中です。
We are recruiting volunteers.
A literary term for a philanthropist or volunteer, implying deep commitment. Rare in everyday speech.
彼は篤志家として知られている。
He is known as a philanthropist.
Referring to the act of doing volunteer work.
The standard phrase for 'volunteer activities' or 'volunteering'.
ボランティア活動に参加したいです。
I want to participate in volunteer activities.
The most common way to say 'to do volunteer work'.
週末にボランティアをしています。
I do volunteer work on weekends.
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.
彼は自ら進んで手伝った。
He volunteered to help.
Means 'to offer to do something'. Often used in formal situations.
彼は仕事を手伝うと申し出た。
He offered to help with the work.
To volunteer for a role or duty, often used in military or formal organizational contexts.
彼は軍隊に志願した。
He volunteered for the military.
Describing something done without pay or obligation.
Used as an adjective to modify nouns, e.g., 'volunteer work'.
ボランティアの仕事を探しています。
I'm looking for volunteer work.
Means 'unpaid' or 'without compensation'. More formal.
無償の奉仕
unpaid service
Means 'voluntary' or 'spontaneous', emphasizing the self-motivated aspect.
自発的な参加が求められる。
Voluntary participation is expected.
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.
彼は自ら進んで手伝った。
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.
彼女は毎週土曜日に病院でボランティアをしています。
She volunteers at the hospital every Saturday.
イベントにもっとボランティアが必要です。
We need more volunteers for the event.
Refers to service activities, often with a connotation of selfless service. Used in contexts like community service.
奉仕活動は社会に貢献します。
Service activities contribute to society.