unfreiwillig
Translation
involuntary, unintentional, unwilling
Examples
Er machte eine unfreiwillige Bewegung.
He made an involuntary movement.
Sie musste unfreiwillig lachen.
She had to laugh involuntarily.
Grammar Patterns
((as adjective)) involuntary He made an involuntary movement.
((as adverb)) involuntarily She had to laugh involuntarily.
Similar Words
Synonyms: unabsichtlich, ungewollt; Antonyms: freiwillig, absichtlich
Etymology
From 'un-' (not) + 'frei' (free) + 'willig' (willing). Literally 'not of free will'.
Memory Tips
Think of it as 'un-free-will-y'. Something that happens against your free will.