German Conversation · Level 191
28 words
German word
obliegen
Pronunciation
IPA/ɔpˈliːgn̩/
Meaning
- verbbe responsible for
Example
Es obliegt mir, die Unterlagen zu prüfen.
I am responsible for checking the documents.
More examples
Die Aufgabe obliegt dem Team.
The task is incumbent on the team.
Core concept
A duty rests on a designated person like a weight that cannot be shifted to someone else.
Common phrases
Etwas obliegt jemandem
Something is incumbent on someone
Die Aufgabe obliegt jemandem
The task is incumbent on someone
Similar words
müssen: Be required to act because circumstances or necessity leave no choice.
sollen: Be expected or instructed to do something according to a rule or another person's wishes.
verpflichtet sein: Have a duty to act and be responsible for carrying it out.
Definition in German
obliegen heißt, dass eine Person für eine bestimmte Aufgabe verantwortlich ist und deren Erfüllung bei ihr liegt.
Word origin
The verb descends from Middle High German obligen, formed from ob- and liegen and developing from the idea of something lying upon someone to a duty belonging to that person.
Usage tips
- Obliegen is formal and often occurs in administrative or legal prose, while everyday German more often uses "zuständig sein" or "verantwortlich sein".
Other meanings
- be incumbent onverb
- be entrusted toverb
Opposites
- entbindenreleaseverb
Related words
- Obliegenheitobligationnoun
- obliegendentrustedadjective