ochotniczy

Ochotniczy is a Polish adjective meaning "voluntary" or "volunteer-based." It describes actions, groups, or institutions carried out by volunteers rather than by obligatory service or paid personnel. The term derives from ochotnik, meaning "volunteer," which in turn comes from ochota, "willingness" or "desire."

In usage, ochotniczy is often found in official names and descriptions to signal a voluntary status. Examples include ochotnicza straż pożarna (volunteer fire brigade), oddziały ochotnicze (volunteer units), and formacje ochotnicze in civil defense or military contexts. The everyday closest equivalent for a person is wolontariusz, but ochotniczy emphasizes the voluntary character of the organization or activity rather than the individual.

Historically, voluntariness has been linked to civilian defense, disaster response, and community service; phrases like formacje ochotnicze and służba ochotnicza appear in statutes and chronicles to distinguish from professional or compulsory service. The term is not used to mean mandatory, which would be obowiązkowy, and is thus contrasted with obligatory.

See also: wolontariat, wolontariusz, ochotnik, Ochotnicza Straż Pożarna.