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.
commitment
A voluntarily assumed commitment to a person, a matter, or a goal.
Mit dem Kauf eines Hauses geht man eine große finanzielle Verpflichtung ein.
When you buy a house, you take on a major financial commitment.
signing / engagement
In sports or the arts, the contractual binding of an athlete or artist to a club or theater.
Die Verpflichtung des neuen Stürmers hat sich für den Fußballverein sehr gelohnt.
The signing of the new striker has really paid off for the football club.
'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.
duty
Pflicht and Verpflichtung both refer to something that must be fulfilled. Pflicht tends to emphasize a general moral, legal, or role-based responsibility. Verpflichtung is especially suited to a specific, justified, or voluntarily assumed commitment, for example through a promise or a contract.
Durch den Vertrag hat sie die Verpflichtung, jeden Montag in der Praxis zu arbeiten.
Under the contract, she is obligated to work at the practice every Monday.
Als Ärztin hat sie die Pflicht, ihren Patienten zu helfen.
As a doctor, she has a duty to help her patients.
