French Conversation · Level 21
89 words
French word
obligatoire
Pronunciation
IPA/obligatwaʁ/
Meaning
- adjectivemandatory
Example
Ce document est obligatoire.
This document is mandatory.
More examples
Le port du casque est obligatoire sur ce chantier.
Helmet use is mandatory at this construction site.
Core concept
A rule-marked gate with every other route closed.
Common phrases
être obligatoire
be mandatory
inscription obligatoire
mandatory registration
cours obligatoire
mandatory course
Similar words
nécessaire: Needed to achieve a particular purpose.
indispensable: So necessary that its absence would cause serious problems.
essentiel: Central and most important, and impossible to do without.
Definition in French
Qui s'impose en vertu d'une règle, d'une loi ou d'une décision administrative et qui ne laisse pas d'alternative.
Word origin
Obligatoire is formed from obliger with the suffix -atoire and ultimately comes from Latin obligare, meaning to bind or obligate.
Usage tips
- Obligatoire expresses an imposed requirement, whereas nécessaire expresses need without necessarily implying a rule or order.
Other meanings
- compulsoryadjective
Opposites
- facultatifoptionaladjective
- optionneloptionaladjective
Related words
- obligationobligationnoun
- obligerrequireverb
- obligatoirementmandatorilyadverb