Translation guide
The act of offering to do something without being paid, or the activity of doing unpaid work for a cause or organization.
The general concept of doing volunteer work, such as for a charity, community, or event.
The most common and direct equivalent. Used as a noun or with する to mean 'do volunteer work'.
週末にボランティアをしています。
I do volunteering on weekends.
ボランティア活動に参加したいです。
I want to participate in volunteer activities.
A more formal term for volunteer or service activities, often used in official contexts.
地域の奉仕活動に力を入れています。
We are focusing on community service activities.
Literally 'unpaid service'. Used in legal or very formal contexts to emphasize the lack of compensation.
彼は無償奉仕でその仕事を引き受けた。
He undertook the work as unpaid service.
The act of willingly offering one's help or services, often spontaneously.
A natural pattern meaning 'to do something voluntarily/on one's own initiative'. Replace ～ with the action.
彼は自分から進んで手伝ってくれた。
He volunteered to help (without being asked).
誰もやらなかったので、自分から進んでやりました。
Nobody was doing it, so I volunteered to do it.
Literally 'raise one's hand'. Used when volunteering in a group setting, like in a class or meeting.
Offering information, an answer, or an opinion without being directly asked.
To say something voluntarily. Often used when someone offers information unprompted.
彼は自分から秘密を話した。
He volunteered the secret (told it without being asked).
To willingly provide something (information, help). More formal.
彼女は進んで情報を提供した。
She volunteered the information.
While ボランティア is perfect for organized volunteer work, it is not used for the spontaneous act of offering to do a small task. In those cases, use phrases like 自分から進んで～する or 手を挙げる.
✕ 彼はボランティアして皿を洗った。
He volunteered to wash the dishes. (unnatural)
○ 彼は自分から進んで皿を洗った。
He volunteered to wash the dishes. (natural)
To step forward and offer oneself for a task or role. Often used when someone volunteers for a responsibility.
その仕事に名乗り出る人はいなかった。
No one volunteered for the job.
誰か手伝ってくれる人？と聞かれて、すぐに手を挙げた。
When asked 'Can anyone help?', I immediately raised my hand (volunteered).