deberes
/deh-BEH-rehs/
homework
When used in the context of school assignments, deberes means homework.
deberes(noun)
homework
?school assignments
schoolwork
?tasks given by a teacher
,assignments
?educational tasks
📝 In Action
¿Ya hiciste tus deberes de matemáticas?
A1Did you already do your math homework?
Tengo muchísimos deberes para el fin de semana.
A2I have so much homework for the weekend.
La maestra revisó los deberes de todos los estudiantes.
A2The teacher checked all the students' assignments.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Even if you only have one assignment, 'deberes' is almost always used in its plural form in this context.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Singular
Mistake: "Hice mi deber."
Correction: Hice mis deberes. ('deber' in singular usually means 'duty' or 'obligation.')
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Tarea' vs. 'Deberes'
In some countries (especially Mexico and Central America), 'tarea' is more common for homework, while 'deberes' is preferred in Spain and parts of South America.
Deberes can also refer to one's moral or legal duties and obligations, or duties.
deberes(noun)
duties
?moral or legal obligations
obligations
?things one must do
,responsibilities
?expected roles
📝 In Action
Es su deber cívico votar en las elecciones.
B1It is your civic duty to vote in the elections.
Los padres tienen deberes hacia sus hijos.
B2Parents have duties toward their children.
El militar cumplió con sus deberes hasta el final.
C1The soldier fulfilled his duties until the end.
💡 Grammar Points
The Singular Form
When referring to a general sense of obligation, you might hear the singular: 'Es un deber ser honesto' (It is a duty to be honest).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
This meaning is often used in official documents, speeches, or when discussing ethics, law, or organizational expectations.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: deberes
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'deberes' to mean 'homework'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'deberes' plural, even for one assignment?
In Spanish, 'deberes' (homework) is treated as a collective plural, similar to how we might say 'the news' in English (which is singular but looks plural). It refers to the collection of tasks assigned. If you want to use a singular word, 'tarea' is a better choice in some regions.
Is 'deberes' related to the verb 'deber'?
Absolutely! 'Deber' means 'must' or 'to owe.' So, 'deberes' literally means 'the things you owe' or 'the things you must do,' which perfectly describes homework or civic obligations.