Inklingo

How to Say "duties" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “duties” is “obligaciones” — use this word for general things that you are required to do, like personal or professional commitments.

obligaciones🔊A2

Use this word for general things that you are required to do, like personal or professional commitments.

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responsabilidades🔊A2

Use this term specifically for tasks and duties that are part of your job or a specific role.

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deberes🔊B1

Choose this word for moral or legal obligations, often related to citizenship or ethical principles.

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tareas🔊A2

This word refers to specific tasks or chores, often those assigned as part of a job or daily routine.

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funciones🔊A2

Use this for the specific functions or roles that a person or thing performs, especially in a professional context.

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impuestos🔊B1

This word refers to taxes, especially customs fees or import duties levied by the government.

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derechos🔊B1

Use this word specifically for customs or import taxes that must be paid on goods.

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English → Spanish

obligaciones

oh-blee-gah-SYOH-nehsoβliɣaˈsjones

nounA2general
Use this word for general things that you are required to do, like personal or professional commitments.
A person watering a small garden and sweeping a path.

Examples

Tengo muchas obligaciones en mi nuevo trabajo.

I have many duties in my new job.

Es nuestra obligación cuidar el medio ambiente.

It is our duty to take care of the environment.

Gender and Number

This word is always feminine. Because it ends in 'es', you use 'las' before it: 'las obligaciones'.

The Disappearing Accent

The singular version (obligación) has a little accent mark over the 'o', but when you make it more than one (obligaciones), that mark disappears.

Spelling Alert

Mistake: “Writing 'obligaciónes' with an accent.”

Correction: Write 'obligaciones' without the accent. In Spanish, when words ending in '-ción' become plural, they lose the accent mark.

responsabilidades

reh-spon-sah-bee-lee-DAH-desres.pon.sa.βiˈli.ða.ðes

nounA2general
Use this term specifically for tasks and duties that are part of your job or a specific role.
A friendly, simple character, like a small bear cub, balancing three distinct symbolic objects (a stack of books, a watering can, and a small key) in its arms, illustrating the concept of managing multiple duties.

Examples

Mis responsabilidades en la oficina aumentaron este mes.

My responsibilities at the office increased this month.

Delegamos las responsabilidades entre todos los miembros del equipo.

We delegated the duties among all the team members.

Las responsabilidades familiares son lo primero para ella.

Family responsibilities are the first priority for her.

Feminine Plural

Even though it ends in '-es', this word is always feminine. Remember to use feminine descriptive words (adjectives) with it, like 'muchas responsabilidades' (many responsibilities).

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “El responsabilidades”

Correction: Las responsabilidades. Since this word is feminine and plural, you must use the feminine plural article 'las'.

deberes

deh-BEH-rehsdeˈβeɾes

nounB1general
Choose this word for moral or legal obligations, often related to citizenship or ethical principles.
A person wearing an apron carefully watering several potted green plants with a small watering can, symbolizing the fulfilling of household duties and responsibilities.

Examples

Es su deber cívico votar en las elecciones.

It is your civic duty to vote in the elections.

Los padres tienen deberes hacia sus hijos.

Parents have duties toward their children.

El militar cumplió con sus deberes hasta el final.

The soldier fulfilled his duties until the end.

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).

tareas

tah-REH-ahstaˈɾeas

nounA2general
This word refers to specific tasks or chores, often those assigned as part of a job or daily routine.
A close-up illustration of hands folding brightly colored clothes, representing general household chores or tasks.

Examples

Las tareas del hogar son aburridas.

The household chores are boring.

Dividimos las tareas del proyecto entre todos.

We divided the project tasks among everyone.

Mi trabajo incluye varias tareas administrativas.

My job includes several administrative duties.

Connecting to the Context

To clarify what kind of task you mean, always add 'de' plus the context: 'tareas de la casa' (house tasks), 'tareas de oficina' (office tasks).

Confusing 'Tareas' and 'Trabajo'

Mistake: “Tengo muchos trabajos que hacer.”

Correction: Tengo muchas tareas que hacer. ('Trabajos' means 'jobs' or 'works of art.' Use 'tareas' for specific items on a to-do list.)

funciones

foon-SYOH-nehsfunˈsjones

nounA2general
Use this for the specific functions or roles that a person or thing performs, especially in a professional context.
A colorful Swiss army knife with various tools extended like a blade, a pair of scissors, and a bottle opener.

Examples

El director de la empresa tiene muchas funciones importantes.

The company director has many important functions/duties.

El teléfono tiene muchas funciones nuevas.

The phone has many new functions.

Sus funciones en la empresa son muy importantes.

Her duties in the company are very important.

Hoy hay dos funciones de la película: a las seis y a las nueve.

Today there are two screenings of the movie: at six and at nine.

Making it plural

This is the plural version of 'función'. Since the original word ends in 'n', we add 'es' and drop the written accent mark.

The Accent Mark

Mistake: “funciónes”

Correction: funciones

impuestos

eem-PWEHS-tohsimˈpwes.tos

nounB1formal
This word refers to taxes, especially customs fees or import duties levied by the government.
A large, official-looking government building with a slot for deposits, receiving a steady stream of stylized gold coins and banknotes flowing into its entrance.

Examples

El gobierno anunció una subida de impuestos para el próximo año.

The government announced a tax increase for next year.

¿Cuánto pagas de impuestos en tu salario?

How much do you pay in taxes on your salary?

Necesito un contador para hacer la declaración de impuestos.

I need an accountant to do the tax return.

Always Plural

Even when referring to the concept of taxation generally, this word is almost always used in the plural form in Spanish.

Using the Feminine

Mistake: “La impuestos”

Correction: Los impuestos. Remember 'impuestos' is a masculine noun, so use the masculine article 'los'.

derechos

deh-REH-chosdeˈɾe.tʃos

nounB1formal
Use this word specifically for customs or import taxes that must be paid on goods.
A cartoon hand dropping a large gold coin into a simple wooden collection box, representing a payment or fee.

Examples

Tuvimos que pagar derechos de aduana por la importación.

We had to pay customs duties for the import.

Los derechos de matrícula son muy elevados en esa universidad.

The registration fees are very high at that university.

Financial Context Clues

When 'derechos' is followed by a word like 'aduana' (customs) or 'matrícula' (registration), it refers to the mandatory payment or charge, not a moral entitlement.

Job Duties vs. General Obligations

Learners often confuse 'obligaciones' and 'responsabilidades' for job duties. Use 'responsabilidades' for specific job tasks, and 'obligaciones' for broader requirements or commitments, including personal ones.

Related Translations

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