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obligado

oh-blee-GAH-dohoβliˈɣaðo

required, mandatory

Also: compulsory, necessary
A small person reluctantly putting a bright red square block into the only matching square hole on a wooden puzzle board, illustrating a mandatory action.

📝 In Action

El uso del casco es obligatorio para los ciclistas.

A2

Wearing a helmet is mandatory for cyclists.

Una visita al museo del Prado es una parada obligada en Madrid.

B1

A visit to the Prado museum is a required/must-do stop in Madrid.

Si llueve, el plan B es obligado.

B1

If it rains, Plan B is necessary.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • de cumplimiento obligado – must be fulfilled
  • paso obligado – required step

indebted, obliged

Also: grateful
AdjectivemB2formal
A small, furry creature looking up at a larger, friendly creature with deep gratitude, as the larger creature helps it cross a small stream with a plank.

📝 In Action

Le estoy muy obligado por su ayuda desinteresada.

B2

I am very indebted to you for your selfless help.

Me sentiré obligado a devolverle el favor.

C1

I will feel obliged to return the favor to you.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • quedar obligado – to be left indebted
  • estoy obligado – I am obliged/indebted

obliged

Also: forced
A tired but relieved cartoon character sitting next to a massive gray boulder at the top of a steep grassy hill, symbolizing a difficult, completed obligation.
infinitiveobligar
gerundobligando
past Participleobligado

📝 In Action

El jefe nos ha obligado a trabajar horas extras.

B1

The boss has obliged us to work overtime.

Fue obligado a firmar el contrato.

B2

He was forced to sign the contract.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • ha obligado – has obliged
  • ser obligado a – to be forced to

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: obligado

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'obligado' to express gratitude or thankfulness?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
obligar(to oblige, to force) — Verb
obligación(obligation, duty) — Noun
obligadamente(obligatorily, necessarily) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin verb *obligāre*, meaning 'to bind to' or 'to tie up.' This root highlights the idea of being constrained or tied to a duty or promise, which is why it means 'required' or 'indebted' today.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: obligatePortuguese: obrigado

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'obligado' and 'obligación'?

'Obligado' is an adjective meaning 'required' or 'forced' (like 'mandatory'). 'Obligación' is the noun, meaning 'obligation' or 'duty' (the thing you must do). For example, 'Es un requisito obligado' (It is a required requirement) versus 'Es una obligación legal' (It is a legal obligation).

Why does 'obligado' sometimes mean 'thank you' in Portuguese ('obrigado') but not in Spanish?

While both words come from the same Latin root meaning 'bound,' Portuguese speakers use 'Obrigado' (I am obliged/indebted) as their standard way to say 'thank you.' In Spanish, this meaning is restricted to formal situations where you are expressing deep indebtedness ('Estoy obligado'), but 'Gracias' is the standard word for 'thank you.'