Volunteering

1. Mig langar að vera sjálfboðaliði hér. Hvernig skrái ég mig?

   I'd like to volunteer here. How do I sign up?

   Usage

   Tell the person in charge you want to help, and ask how to register

   Grammar Note

   "Mig langar" means "I would like", with the subject in the accusative ("mig"), never "Ég langar". In the question the verb comes before the subject: "skrái ég mig"

2. Hvar er miðstöð sjálfboðaliða?

   Where is the volunteer centre?

   Usage

   Ask when you cannot find the place where volunteers check in

   Grammar Note

   "Sjálfboðaliða" is the genitive plural of "sjálfboðaliði" (volunteer), meaning "of volunteers". "Miðstöð" is feminine

3. Ég hef reynslu af kennslu og byggingarvinnu.

   I have experience in teaching and construction work.

   Usage

   Say what you can do so you are given suitable tasks

   Grammar Note

   "Reynsla af" means "experience of". "Reynslu" is accusative; "kennslu" and "byggingarvinnu" are dative after "af". Swap in other kinds of work in the same slot

4. Hversu lengi stendur sjálfboðastarfið yfir?

   How long does the volunteer work last?

   Usage

   Check the minimum stay and how long the placement runs

   Grammar Note

   "Standa yfir" means "to be going on, to last". "Sjálfboðastarfið" is the neuter noun "sjálfboðastarf" with the suffixed definite article "-ið"

5. Þarf ég sérstakan búnað eða þjálfun?

   Do I need special equipment or training?

   Usage

   Ask what to bring and whether any training is needed beforehand

   Grammar Note

   "Þurfa" takes an accusative object. "Búnaður" is masculine, so the adjective is the masculine accusative "sérstakan". "Þjálfun" is feminine

6. Mig langar að taka þátt í hjálparstarfi.

   I'd like to take part in relief work.

   Usage

   Use it when you want to join aid or relief activities

   Grammar Note

   "Taka þátt í" means "to take part in" and is followed by the dative. "Hjálparstarf" is a compound of "hjálpar" (of help) and "starf" (work); its dative is "hjálparstarfi"

7. Mig langar að taka þátt í náttúruvernd.

   I'd like to take part in nature conservation work.

   Usage

   Use it when you want to join an environmental volunteer project

   Grammar Note

   "Náttúruvernd" is a feminine noun whose dative looks the same as the nominative. It is a compound of "náttúra" (nature) and "vernd" (protection)

8. Er einhver kynning fyrir sjálfboðaliða?

   Is there an introduction session for volunteers?

   Usage

   Ask whether there is a briefing before the work starts

   Grammar Note

   In a yes/no question the verb "er" comes first. "Einhver" is the feminine form to agree with "kynning". After "fyrir", "sjálfboðaliða" is the accusative plural

9. Getum við tekið þátt sem hópur?

   Can we take part as a group?

   Usage

   Ask when you want to join together with friends or family

   Grammar Note

   "Getum við" is the inverted question form of "we can". "Sem" means "as", and "hópur" stays in the nominative like the subject

10. Fá sjálfboðaliðar gistingu og mat?

    Do volunteers get accommodation and food?

    Usage

    Check whether lodging and meals are covered before you commit

    Grammar Note

    "Fá" means "get" and takes accusative objects ("gistingu", "mat"). The subject "sjálfboðaliðar" is nominative plural, and the verb stands first to make the question

11. Hvaða tungumál þurfa sjálfboðaliðar að kunna?

    Which languages do volunteers need to know?

    Usage

    Ask which languages would be useful for the work

    Grammar Note

    "Tungumál" is neuter and has the same form in singular and plural. "Þurfa að" means "need to" and is followed by an infinitive

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