freiwillig

German

Etymology

From Late Middle High German freywillic (1370s), but common chiefly since the 16th century. By surface analysis, frei (free) +‎ willig (willing), perhaps after freier Wille (free will). Compare Dutch vrijwillig (1390s).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈfʁaɪ̯ˌvɪ.lɪç/, (southern also) /-lɪk/, (seldom) /ˌfʁaɪ̯ˈvɪ-/
  • Audio (Germany (Berlin)):(file)
  • Audio (Germany (Berlin)):(file)
  • Hyphenation: frei‧wil‧lig

Adjective

freiwillig (strong nominative masculine singular freiwilliger, comparative freiwilliger, superlative am freiwilligsten)

  1. voluntary
    Antonyms: gezwungen, unfreiwillig, zwangsweise

Declension

Derived terms

Further reading