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voluntarios

boh-loon-TAH-ree-ohs/boluntaˈɾjos/

“voluntarios” means “volunteers” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

volunteers

Also: recruits
NounmA2
A group of three cheerful individuals, two adults and one child, happily planting a small sapling in a sunny community garden, symbolizing people offering help.

📝 In Action

Los voluntarios llegaron temprano para ayudar en la limpieza de la playa.

A2

The volunteers arrived early to help with the beach clean-up.

Necesitamos más voluntarios para repartir las donaciones.

B1

We need more volunteers to hand out the donations.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • colaboradores (collaborators)
  • ayudantes (helpers)

Antonyms

  • asalariados (paid employees)

Common Collocations

  • grupo de voluntarios – volunteer group
  • cuerpo de voluntarios – volunteer corps

voluntary

Also: optional
A single hand reaching into a wicker basket to happily pick up a bright red apple, illustrating making a free choice.

📝 In Action

Los trabajos voluntarios en la escuela son muy valorados.

B1

The voluntary work at the school is highly valued.

Participar en estos proyectos es totalmente voluntarios.

B2

Participating in these projects is totally voluntary.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • opcionales (optional)
  • libres (free, unforced)

Antonyms

  • obligatorios (mandatory)
  • forzosos (forced)

Common Collocations

  • servicios voluntarios – voluntary services
  • esfuerzos voluntarios – voluntary efforts

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "voluntarios" in Spanish:

optional→recruits→volunteers→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: voluntarios

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'voluntarios' as an adjective (describing a quality)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
voluntario(volunteer (male/singular)) — Noun / Adjective
voluntaria(volunteer (female/singular)) — Noun / Adjective
voluntariado(volunteering / volunteer work) — Noun
voluntariamente(voluntarily) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
necesariosdiarios
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin 'voluntarius', which means 'willing' or 'of one's own free will'. It is based on the Latin word 'voluntas', meaning 'will' or 'desire'. It entered Spanish to describe someone who acts purely by choice.

First recorded: Mid-15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: voluntaryItalian: volontarioFrench: volontaire

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'volunteering' (the activity) in Spanish?

You use the noun 'el voluntariado'. For example: 'Me gusta hacer voluntariado' (I like to do volunteering).

Is 'voluntarios' only for men?

No. 'Voluntarios' is the standard plural form used for mixed groups or groups of men. If the entire group consists only of women, you must use 'voluntarias'.