voluntariamente
Lemma Details
Translation: voluntarily; willingly; of one's own free will; deliberately
Part of Speech: adverb
Etymology: Derived from the Spanish adjective 'voluntario' (voluntary) + the adverbial suffix '-mente'. The root comes from Latin 'voluntarius' meaning 'willing, of one's free will', which itself derives from 'voluntas' (will, desire, choice). The English cognate 'voluntarily' shares the same Latin origin, making this a transparent cognate for English speakers.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Ella se ofreció voluntariamente para ayudar en el proyecto.
She volunteered willingly to help with the project.
Los estudiantes participaron voluntariamente en la limpieza del parque.
The students participated voluntarily in cleaning the park.
Él admitió voluntariamente su error.
He willingly admitted his mistake.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'voluntary' + 'mente' (mind) = doing something with a willing mind
- Remember that many Spanish adverbs end in '-mente', similar to English '-ly'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of doing things 'voluntariamente' is often valued in contexts of community service, social responsibility, and personal initiative. It's commonly used in legal contexts to distinguish actions done willingly versus under duress.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'voluntariamente' means 'voluntarily' or 'willingly', 'voluntariosamente' (though less common) implies doing something with enthusiasm or eagerness, beyond mere willingness.
Notes: 'Voluntariosamente' is less commonly used in everyday speech compared to 'voluntariamente'.
Mnemonic: 'Voluntariamente' is about choice (voluntary), while 'voluntariosamente' adds enthusiasm (voluntary + eager).