mandatory
gb/mˈændətˌɔɹi/ us/mˈændətˌɔɹi/
B2
English
~ 6300
kötelező, elmaradhatatlan, szokásos
B2
1
kötelező
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is mandatory for [someone] / it is mandatory to [verb]
Wearing a helmet is mandatory for all motorcyclists in this country.
Ebben az országban minden motorosnak kötelező bukósisakot viselnie.
Attendance at the safety briefing is mandatory for new employees.
Az új alkalmazottaknak kötelező részt venniük a munkavédelmi eligazításon.
The government introduced mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers.
Most states have a mandatory minimum sentence for this type of crime.
It is mandatory to register your address within 30 days of moving.
Learner examples
It is mandatory to wear a seat belt in a car.
Autóban kötelező bekötni a biztonsági övet.
School uniforms are mandatory at my school.
Az iskolámban kötelező iskolai egyenruhát viselni.
A passport is mandatory if you want to travel abroad.
The test is mandatory, so everyone must take it.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *mandatory* to mean simply 'very important'. However, *mandatory* means it is required by a rule or law, not just important. Also, use patterns like 'It is mandatory to wear a helmet' or 'Wearing a helmet is mandatory', not 'It is mandatory wear a helmet.'
Meaning
required by law or rule
Collocations
mandatory training
|mandatory meeting
|mandatory minimum sentence
|mandatory vaccination
|mandatory attendance
|make something mandatory
Synonyms
compulsory (Very close in meaning; common in British English, slightly more formal.)
|
obligatory (Similar meaning; often used in more formal or written contexts.)
|
required (More general and slightly simpler; does not always imply a formal rule or law.)
Antonyms
optional (Emphasizes that something is a free choice, not required.)
|
voluntary (Stresses that something is done because you want to, not because a rule forces you.)
Themes
law
|work
|education
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Needed because a law, rule, or person in power says so; you cannot choose not to do it.
Required by law, rule, or other authority; not optional.
C1
INFORMAL
2
szokásos
B1
Usage pattern:
the mandatory [typical thing]
The action movie even had the mandatory car chase through a crowded market.
Az akciófilmben még az elmaradhatatlan, zsúfolt piacon át zajló autós üldözés is benne volt.
We took the mandatory group photo before the conference ended.
A konferencia vége előtt elkészítettük az elmaradhatatlan csoportképet.
The tour includes the mandatory stop at the gift shop.
There was the mandatory awkward silence after his bad joke.
Learner examples
At the end of the trip, we took the mandatory group photo.
Az út végén elkészítettük az elmaradhatatlan csoportképet.
The show had the mandatory happy ending.
A műsorban megvolt az elmaradhatatlan happy end.
Every family dinner comes with a mandatory talk about school.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this always means 'required by law or rule'. In informal speech, people often use *mandatory* jokingly to mean 'so common that it always happens', as in 'the mandatory group photo'. Here, there is no real rule or law; it is just a strong expectation.
Meaning
so expected it is standard
Collocations
mandatory selfie
|mandatory group photo
|mandatory car chase
|mandatory team-building exercise
Synonyms
standard (Suggests something is normal or usual, without the humorous tone of 'mandatory'.)
|
expected (Focuses on what people think will happen, not on any rule or requirement.)
|
typical (Describes something as usual for that kind of situation, but not necessarily joking.)
Antonyms
unusual (Opposite because it describes something that does not normally happen or appear.)
|
surprising (Opposite in that it describes something people do not expect in that situation.)
Themes
informal
|entertainment
|culture
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
Happening or included because it is very common and everyone expects it, often used as a joke.
Included or happening because it is so usual or expected in that situation, often said humorously.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mandatory
IPA
GB/mˈændətˌɔɹi/
US/mˈændətˌɔɹi/
Syllables & stress
man - dat - ory (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (man)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mandatory
Word family
Expressions
it is mandatory to
1/ˈɪt ˈɪz mˈændətˌɔɹi tə/
fixed phrase
introduces a required action
used before a verb to say that the action must be done because of a rule or law
Examples
- In this building, it is mandatory to wear your ID badge at all times.
- It is mandatory to report any data breach within 24 hours.
- On the form, it is mandatory to fill in your full name and address.
make mandatory
1/mˈeɪk mˈændətˌɔɹi/
fixed phrase
to require by rule or law
to say in a rule or law that something must be done and is not a choice
Examples
- The company plans to make cybersecurity training mandatory next year.
- The school board voted to make uniforms mandatory for all students.
- They made it mandatory to sign in at reception when you arrive.
mandatory meeting
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi mˈitɪŋ/
fixed phrase
meeting everyone must attend
a meeting you must go to; you are not allowed to skip it
Examples
- All staff must attend a mandatory meeting on Monday morning.
- We have a mandatory meeting about the new safety rules.
mandatory minimum
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi mˈɪnəməm/
fixed phrase
technical
lowest sentence allowed by law
the smallest punishment that the law allows a judge to give for a crime
Examples
- The new legislation sets a mandatory minimum for drug offenses.
- Critics argue that the mandatory minimum is too harsh for first-time offenders.
mandatory minimum sentence
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi mˈɪnəməm sˈɛntəns/
fixed phrase
technical
lowest prison term required by law
the shortest time in prison that the law says a person must get for a certain crime
Examples
- He received the mandatory minimum sentence under the new law.
- Judges have no discretion when a mandatory minimum sentence applies.
mandatory overtime
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi ˈoʊvɚtˌaɪm/
fixed phrase
required extra work hours
extra time at work that employees must work and cannot refuse
Examples
- The factory introduced mandatory overtime during the busy season.
- Workers are angry about the new policy of mandatory overtime on weekends.
mandatory retirement
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi ɹɪtˈaɪɚmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
rule forcing retirement at an age
a law or rule that says a person must stop working when they reach a certain age
Examples
- The company ended its policy of mandatory retirement at 65.
- Some workers oppose mandatory retirement, saying they can still do their jobs well.
mandatory sentencing
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi sˈɛntənsɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
system of fixed legal punishments
a system where the law says what punishment a judge must give for certain crimes
Examples
- Mandatory sentencing has been criticized for removing judges' flexibility.
- The report calls for reforms to the country's mandatory sentencing laws.
mandatory training
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi tɹˈeɪnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
training course you must take
a class or course that you must complete because your job, school, or the law says so
Examples
- New employees must complete mandatory training in their first month.
- The hospital runs mandatory training on infection control every year.
mandatory evacuation
1/mˈændətˌɔɹi ɪvˌækjuˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
official order to leave for safety
when the government or police tell people they must leave an area because it is dangerous
Examples
- Authorities ordered a mandatory evacuation ahead of the hurricane.
- Authorities announced a mandatory evacuation for all low-lying coastal neighborhoods.
- Residents ignored the mandatory evacuation and chose to stay in their homes.
- Some residents refused to comply with the mandatory evacuation despite the risks.