obligation
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obligation
A task or requirement that one must fulfill for moral, legal, or contractual reasons; a duty.
Eltern haben die gesetzliche Verpflichtung, für den Unterhalt ihrer Kinder zu sorgen.
Parents have the legal obligation to provide for the support of their children.
'Die Verpflichtung' (the obligation) is derived from the verb 'verpflichten' (to obligate/commit), which in turn goes back to 'die Pflicht' (the duty). A 'Verpflichtung' is therefore the result of having or entering into a duty.
Er hat sich verpflichtet, das Projekt bis Monatsende fertigzustellen.
He committed himself to finishing the project by the end of the month.
An obligation often describes an action. This is attached to the noun with a 'zu' + infinitive construction. The pattern is: 'die Verpflichtung haben/eingehen, etwas zu tun' (to have/take on the obligation to do something).
Mieter haben die Verpflichtung, die Wohnung in gutem Zustand zu halten.
Tenants have the obligation to keep the apartment in good condition.
Common verbs used with 'Verpflichtung' (obligation) are 'eine Verpflichtung eingehen' (to enter into an obligation), 'eine Verpflichtung haben' (to have an obligation), and 'seinen Verpflichtungen nachkommen' or 'eine Verpflichtung erfüllen' (to meet/fulfill an obligation).
Sie kommt ihren finanziellen Verpflichtungen immer pünktlich nach.
She always meets her financial obligations on time.
This meaning is very specific and is used almost exclusively in the context of professional sports or the entertainment industry, when a club or theater signs an athlete or artist to a contract.
Die Verpflichtung des neuen Torwarts war eine Überraschung für die Fans.
The signing of the new goalkeeper was a surprise for the fans.
right / law
'das Recht' and 'die Verpflichtung' are often opposites. 'das Recht' describes what someone is allowed to do or receive. 'die Verpflichtung' describes what someone must do because it is a duty, a contract, or a moral commitment. In many situations, the two go together: you can have a right to vacation, but also the obligation to do your work. So the difference is: a right gives freedom or an entitlement, while an obligation means responsibility or duty.
Wegen des Vertrags hat die Firma die Verpflichtung, pünktlich zu liefern.
Because of the contract, the company has the obligation to deliver on time.
Jeder Mitarbeiter hat das Recht auf eine Pause.
Every employee has the right to a break.