French word

obligé

Pronunciation

IPA/obliʒe/

Meaning

  • adjectiveobliged

Example

Je suis obligé de partir.

I am obliged to leave.

Illustration for obligé (obliged)

More examples

Je me sens obligé envers mes parents.

I feel obligated to my parents.

Core concept

An external obligation holds someone to a required action despite personal choice.

Common phrases

  • être obligé de

    be obligated to

  • se sentir obligé envers quelqu'un

    feel obligated to someone

  • obligé par contrat

    obligated by contract

Similar words

nécessaire: Indispensable for reaching a specific goal or fulfilling a particular need.
obligatoire: Mandated by laws or rules and not left to personal choice.
forcé: Compelled by pressure, force, or circumstances to act in a certain way.

Definition in French

Qualifie quelqu'un qui, soumis à une obligation extérieure, doit faire quelque chose.

Word origin

French obliger developed from Latin obligare, whose elements ob- 'toward' and ligare 'to bind' gave rise to the idea of binding someone to an obligation.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English obliged, obligé does not normally express gratitude; French uses être reconnaissant or merci for that meaning.

Other meanings

  • forcedadjective

Opposites

  • volontairevoluntaryadjective
  • facultatifoptionaladjective

Related words

Word lists with this word