voluntario
/boh-loon-TAH-ree-oh/
volunteer
As a voluntario (volunteer), this person is working to make the community better without receiving pay.
📝 In Action
El voluntario ayudó a repartir comida a los necesitados.
A2The volunteer helped distribute food to those in need.
Necesitamos más voluntarios para limpiar el parque este sábado.
A2We need more volunteers to clean the park this Saturday.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Match
Remember that the person's gender matters: 'el voluntario' (male volunteer) and 'la voluntaria' (female volunteer).
⭐ Usage Tips
Related Noun
The activity of volunteering is called 'el voluntariado' (volunteering/volunteer work).
When something is voluntario (voluntary), it is done by choice, like deciding which object to pick up.
📝 In Action
La decisión de retirarse fue totalmente voluntaria.
B1The decision to retire was entirely voluntary.
El acuerdo es voluntario y no hay consecuencias si decides no participar.
B2The agreement is voluntary, and there are no consequences if you decide not to participate.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'voluntario' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'un acto voluntario' (masculine singular) vs. 'acciones voluntarias' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Adjective and Adverb
Mistake: "Hizo el trabajo muy voluntario."
Correction: Hizo el trabajo muy voluntariamente. (Use the adverb form '-mente' when describing how an action was done.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: voluntario
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'voluntario' correctly as a person (noun)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'voluntario' (adjective) and 'voluntariamente' (adverb)?
'Voluntario' is used to describe a noun (a thing or person): 'un trabajo voluntario' (a voluntary job). 'Voluntariamente' is used to describe a verb (an action): 'Lo hice voluntariamente' (I did it voluntarily).
How do I talk about the general concept of volunteering?
Use the noun 'el voluntariado.' For example, 'El voluntariado es importante para la comunidad' (Volunteering is important for the community).