自愿

• Pinyin: zì yuàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 自 = pictograph of a nose (self); 愿 = 原 (origin) + 心 (heart) — willing, wish

Meaning

Voluntary; to do something willingly. Acting of one's own free will without being forced or coerced.

Emphasizes the absence of external pressure. Often used in legal documents, volunteer work contexts, and when distinguishing between required and optional actions.

Examples

1. 参加这次活动完全是自愿的，没有人强迫。 Participating in this activity is completely voluntary — no one is forcing anyone.
2. 他自愿放弃了继承权。 He voluntarily gave up his inheritance rights.
3. 我们招募的都是自愿服务的志愿者。 We recruit volunteers who serve willingly.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, volunteering, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 捐款是自愿的，不是强制的。(Donations are voluntary, not mandatory.)
• 她自愿留下来加班完成项目。(She voluntarily stayed to work overtime to finish the project.)

Don't Say

• 说'他自愿地被开除了' (Don't use 自愿 for involuntary events like being fired — that's contradictory; 自愿 implies personal choice)

Origin & History

自 (self) + 愿 (willing, wish). Together they mean acting according to one's own wishes.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal