French Conversation · Level 64
75 words
French word
obligation
Pronunciation
IPA/obligasjɔ̃/
Meaning
- feminine nounduty
Example
J'ai l'obligation d'assister à la réunion.
I have a duty to attend the meeting.
More examples
Il estime avoir une obligation morale de protéger ses collègues.
He believes he has a moral obligation to protect his colleagues.
Core concept
A binding rule that leaves a person responsible for doing something or refraining from it.
Common phrases
avoir l'obligation de
have an obligation to ___
une obligation morale
a moral obligation
remplir son obligation
fulfill one's obligation
Similar words
devoir: A duty arising from moral standards or professional responsibilities.
nécessité: A situation in which circumstances make an action unavoidable.
Definition in French
Obligation morale ou légale qui impose une action ou une abstention.
Word origin
French obligation comes from Latin obligatio, from obligare, meaning to bind, and keeps the sense of a binding requirement.
Usage tips
- The noun is feminine: une obligation and cette obligation, never un obligation.
Other meanings
- responsibilitynoun
Related words
- obligatoiremandatoryadjective
- obligercompelverb
- obligéobligedadjective