Inklingo
Dictionary

obliga

oh-BLEE-gahoˈβli.ɣa

“obliga” means “forces” in Spanish (when someone makes another person do something).

forces, requiresAlso: compels, obliges

VerbA2regular ar
A child being pointed towards a pile of toys to clean up by an adult's hand.
gerundobligando
past Participleobligado
infinitiveobligar

📝 In Action

Mi jefe me obliga a trabajar los sábados.

A2

My boss forces me to work on Saturdays.

La ley obliga a llevar el cinturón de seguridad.

A2

The law requires wearing a seatbelt.

¡Obliga a los niños a recoger sus juguetes!

B1

Force the children to pick up their toys!

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • me obliga a – forces me to
  • la ley obliga – the law requires

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoobligara
túobligaras
él/ella/ustedobligara
nosotrosobligáramos
vosotrosobligarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesobligaran

Present Subjunctive

yoobligue
túobligues
él/ella/ustedobligue
nosotrosobliguemos
vosotrosobliguéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesobliguen

Indicative

Preterite

yoobligué
túobligaste
él/ella/ustedobligó
nosotrosobligamos
vosotrosobligasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesobligaron

Imperfect

yoobligaba
túobligabas
él/ella/ustedobligaba
nosotrosobligábamos
vosotrosobligabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesobligaban

Present

yoobligo
túobligas
él/ella/ustedobliga
nosotrosobligamos
vosotrosobligáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesobligan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "obliga" in Spanish:

compelsforcesobligesrequires

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: obliga

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence means 'The contract requires me to pay'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
obligar(to force) — Verb
obligación(obligation) — Noun
obligatorio(mandatory) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
amigadigacastiga
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'obligare,' which literally meant 'to bind or tie down.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: obligesFrench: oblige

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'obliga' and 'debe'?

'Obliga' implies an external force or law is making the action happen. 'Debe' is more like 'should' or 'ought to'—it's a duty but doesn't sound as forceful.