obligation
gb/ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 2200
kötelezettség, kötelesség
NOUN
B1
1
kötelesség
B1
Usage pattern:
to have an obligation to [do something]
You have a legal obligation to pay your taxes.
Jogi kötelezettséged van arra, hogy adót fizess.
Parents have an obligation to care for their children.
A szülőknek kötelességük gondoskodni a gyermekeikről.
She felt a strong moral obligation to help the victims.
The company has an obligation to protect its employees.
He failed to meet his obligations under the contract.
Learner examples
I have an obligation to go to work every day.
Kötelességem minden nap munkába menni.
We have an obligation to help our friends.
Kötelességünk segíteni a barátainknak.
She has an obligation to pay the rent.
They have an obligation to follow the rules.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'obligation' with 'option'. An obligation is something you must do, not something you can choose to do.
Meaning
Something you must do
Collocations
legal obligation
|moral obligation
|fulfill an obligation
|meet an obligation
|have an obligation
Synonyms
duty (Often used for moral or social responsibilities, sometimes less formal than 'obligation'.)
|
responsibility (More general and can include voluntary roles, not always enforced by rules or laws.)
Antonyms
freedom (The state of not being bound by duties or constraints.)
|
option (Something that is a choice rather than a requirement.)
Themes
law
|ethics
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something you have to do because it is the law, a rule, or the right thing to do.
A duty or commitment that a person is required to fulfill by law, rule, or moral principle.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
to fulfill an obligation to [someone]
The company has several outstanding financial obligations.
A vállalatnak több fennálló pénzügyi kötelezettsége van.
He met all his contractual obligations before leaving the firm.
A cég elhagyása előtt minden szerződéses kötelezettségének eleget tett.
Mortgage payments are one of their largest obligations.
Learner examples
I have an obligation to pay back the loan.
Kötelezettségem van a kölcsön visszafizetésére.
The business has many obligations to the bank.
A vállalkozásnak sok kötelezettsége van a bankkal szemben.
She finished her obligations under the contract.
Meaning
Debt or promised service
Collocations
financial obligation
|contractual obligation
|repay an obligation
|outstanding obligation
Synonyms
commitment (An agreement or promise that must be honored, often broader than purely financial obligations.)
|
liability (A legal term for something owed, often monetary.)
Antonyms
asset (Something of value owned, opposite of owing something.)
Themes
business
|finance
|law
Definition
Something you must give or do because you agreed to it or owe it.
A binding promise or requirement to give money, goods, or services, often resulting from a contract or debt.
Grammar
Dictionary form
obligation
IPA
GB/ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
ob - lig - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: obligation
- Plural: obligations
Word family
Expressions
feel obliged
1/fˈil əblˈaɪd͡ʒd/
fixed phrase
Feel you must do something
To feel you should do something because it is polite or right.
Examples
- I felt obliged to invite him since he invited me.
- She didn’t want to go but felt obliged after all the help he gave her.
fulfill an obligation
1/fʊlfˈɪl ən ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Do what you are required to do
To do what you must do because of a law, rule, or promise.
Examples
- We must fulfill our obligations under the contract.
- He fulfilled his obligation by paying the fine.
under no obligation
1/ˈʌndɚ nˈoʊ ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Not required to act
You do not have to do it if you don’t want to.
Examples
- You are under no obligation to answer that question.
- She made it clear we were under no obligation to buy anything.