obligación
“obligación” means “obligation” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
obligation, duty
Also: responsibility, commitment
📝 In Action
Pagar los impuestos es una obligación legal para todos.
A2Paying taxes is a legal obligation for everyone.
Siento la obligación de ayudar a mi familia en este momento difícil.
B1I feel the duty to help my family during this difficult time.
No tienes ninguna obligación de venir si no quieres.
A2You don't have any obligation to come if you don't want to.
bond
Also: security, debenture
📝 In Action
El gobierno emitió nuevas obligaciones para financiar el proyecto.
B2The government issued new bonds to finance the project.
Invertir en obligaciones corporativas puede ser menos riesgoso que en acciones.
C1Investing in corporate bonds can be less risky than in stocks.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "obligación" in Spanish:
debenture→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: obligación
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'obligación' in its financial sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *obligatio*, meaning 'a binding' or 'a promise to pay'. The core idea is being 'bound' by a rule or a debt.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'obligación' y 'responsabilidad'?
While similar, 'obligación' often refers to a specific, mandatory requirement (like a law or contract). 'Responsabilidad' (responsibility) is a broader term for general duties or accountability for an action.
If I want to say 'I have to do this,' should I use 'obligación'?
Not usually. For 'I have to do this,' use the verb 'tener que' (Tengo que hacer esto). You only use the noun 'obligación' when you want to emphasize the formal requirement itself (Tengo la obligación de hacer esto).