Definition
自愿 (zì yuàn) means 'to volunteer, to do something willingly of one's own free will' — it emphasizes that the action is a personal choice, not forced. Unlike 主动 (zhǔ dòng 'proactive, taking the initiative'), which focuses on acting without being prompted, 自愿 stresses the absence of external pressure. 义务 (yì wù) as an adjective means 'unpaid, volunteer' (e.g., 义务劳动), while 志愿者 (zhì yuàn zhě) is the noun 'volunteer'.
verb
to volunteerto do something willingly of one's own free will
Easily confused
- 资源zī yuánsound-alikenatural resources (e.g., water, minerals)
Examples
- 自愿。Tā zì yuàn cānjiā le zhè cì jiùyuán xíngdòng.He voluntarily participated in this rescue operation.
- 自愿。Tā zì yuàn fàngqì le shēngzhí de jīhuì.She voluntarily gave up the opportunity for promotion.
- 自愿。Wǒ zì yuàn xuǎnzé le líkāi gōngsī.I voluntarily chose to leave the company.
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