Spanish Conversation · Level 20
90 words
Spanish word
obligación
Pronunciation
IPA/oβliɣaˈθjon/
Meaning
- feminine nounobligation
Example
Tengo la obligación de ayudar a mis padres.
I have an obligation to help my parents.
More examples
No cumplir la obligación puede tener consecuencias.
Not meeting the obligation can have consequences.
Core concept
Two hands tied together with rope.
Common phrases
tener la obligación de
be under an obligation to
cumplir con la obligación
meet the obligation
asumir la obligación
take on the obligation
obligación moral
moral obligation
Similar words
deber: Personal sense of duty arising from conscience or ethical conviction.
responsabilidad: Responsibility for tasks or people that comes with a job, office, or role.
compromiso: Commitment based on an agreement or pact that one is bound to fulfill.
Definition in Spanish
Responsabilidad o compromiso que obliga a una persona a cumplir algo, especialmente por ley o por deber moral.
Word origin
From Latin obligare (ob- 'toward' + ligare 'to bind'), originally meaning to bind, which gives obligación the sense of a duty that binds someone.
Usage tips
- Sentirse obligado expresses a personal, internal feeling of duty, while tener la obligación de + infinitive indicates an external or legal responsibility.
Other meanings
- dutynoun
- debtnoun
Related words
- obligarcompelverb
- obligatorioobligatoryadjective
- obligatoriamentecompulsorilyadverb