Inklingo

How to Say "duty" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “duty” is “deber” — use 'deber' when referring to a moral or ethical obligation, a sense of what is right to do.

deber🔊B1

Use 'deber' when referring to a moral or ethical obligation, a sense of what is right to do.

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obligaciónA2

Choose 'obligación' for a strong moral, legal, or social requirement that one must fulfill.

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funciónA2

Use 'función' to describe a specific role, task, or purpose assigned to someone or something.

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servicio🔊A2

Employ 'servicio' when referring to work done for others, customer service, or a public service duty.

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impuesto🔊A2

Use 'impuesto' when referring to a mandatory financial charge imposed by a government, like income tax or VAT.

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faena🔊B1

Use 'faena' for a specific task or chore, often one that is assigned or routine, especially household tasks.

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guardia🔊B1

Use 'guardia' specifically when referring to being on duty, on call, or working a shift, especially in professions like medicine or security.

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derecho🔊B2

Use 'derecho' to refer to a tax or fee, especially on imported goods or services.

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tasa🔊B2

Use 'tasa' for a specific charge or fee, often for services like airports, passports, or certain local taxes.

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responsabilidad🔊B2

Choose 'responsabilidad' for a specific task, role, or charge that one is accountable for.

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English → Spanish

deber

deh-BEHRdeˈβeɾ

nounB1general
Use 'deber' when referring to a moral or ethical obligation, a sense of what is right to do.
A gentle elephant character focused on watering a tiny, wilting flower with water from its trunk, symbolizing moral duty and responsibility.

Examples

Cumplir con su deber es un orgullo.

Fulfilling one's duty is a source of pride.

Tengo muchos deberes para este fin de semana.

I have a lot of homework this weekend.

Lo hizo por puro sentido del deber.

He did it out of a pure sense of duty.

Gender and Number

'Deber' as a noun is masculine. When meaning 'homework' or 'chores,' it is almost always used in the plural: 'los deberes'.

Using 'Deber' instead of 'Tarea'

Mistake: “If you are in Latin America, 'tarea' is often the preferred word for school homework.”

Correction: 'Deberes' for homework is common in Spain. Use 'tarea' across all regions for school assignments.

obligación

nounA2general
Choose 'obligación' for a strong moral, legal, or social requirement that one must fulfill.

Examples

Pagar los impuestos es una obligación legal para todos.

Paying taxes is a legal obligation for everyone.

función

nounA2general
Use 'función' to describe a specific role, task, or purpose assigned to someone or something.

Examples

La función principal de este botón es encender la máquina.

The main function of this button is to turn on the machine.

servicio

ser-BEE-syoseɾˈbi.sjo

nounA2general
Employ 'servicio' when referring to work done for others, customer service, or a public service duty.
A smiling waiter in a clean uniform holding a silver tray with a single cup of coffee, offering it politely to a customer.

Examples

El servicio al cliente en esa tienda es fantástico.

The customer service in that store is fantastic.

Los servicios de emergencia llegaron en cinco minutos.

The emergency services arrived in five minutes.

El hotel ofrece servicio de habitaciones las 24 horas.

The hotel offers 24-hour room service.

impuesto

im-pweh-stohimˈpwesto

nounA2formal
Use 'impuesto' when referring to a mandatory financial charge imposed by a government, like income tax or VAT.
A small pile of gold coins being placed into a wooden box labeled with a crown symbol.

Examples

Tengo que pagar el impuesto de la renta mañana.

I have to pay my income tax tomorrow.

El gobierno anunció un nuevo impuesto sobre el plástico.

The government announced a new tax on plastic.

Muchos ciudadanos se quejan de que los impuestos son demasiado altos.

Many citizens complain that taxes are too high.

Always Masculine

When you mean 'tax', the word is always masculine (el impuesto), even if the tax is on something that sounds feminine.

Talking about taxes in general

In Spanish, we usually use the plural 'los impuestos' when talking about the general system or the concept of paying taxes.

Confusing with 'Tasa'

Mistake: “Using 'impuesto' for a small service fee.”

Correction: Use 'tasa' for a specific fee (like for a passport) and 'impuesto' for general government funding (like sales tax).

faena

fah-EH-nahfaˈena

nounB1informal
Use 'faena' for a specific task or chore, often one that is assigned or routine, especially household tasks.
A person in overalls holding a large wooden broom and sweeping a clean floor.

Examples

Terminé todas mis faenas domésticas antes del mediodía.

I finished all my household chores before noon.

Es una faena pesada pero hay que hacerla.

It's a heavy task, but it has to be done.

Los agricultores comienzan su faena muy temprano.

The farmers begin their work very early.

Faena vs. Tarea

While both mean 'task,' 'faena' often implies physical effort or manual labor, whereas 'tarea' is more general and used for schoolwork or digital tasks.

Plurality

Mistake: “Mucho faena”

Correction: Mucha faena (it is a feminine noun, so the word for 'much' must end in 'a').

guardia

gwar-dyaˈɡwar.ðja

nounB1general
Use 'guardia' specifically when referring to being on duty, on call, or working a shift, especially in professions like medicine or security.
A uniformed firefighter sitting patiently at a small desk inside a fire station, ready to respond to a call.

Examples

El médico está de guardia esta noche en urgencias.

The doctor is on duty tonight in the emergency room.

Mi próxima guardia es el sábado, así que no puedo ir a la fiesta.

My next shift is Saturday, so I can't go to the party.

Hicieron guardia en la frontera durante seis horas.

They kept watch at the border for six hours.

Using 'De Guardia'

To express that someone is currently working their shift or is available for emergencies, use the structure 'estar de guardia' (to be on duty).

derecho

deh-REH-chohdeˈɾe.t͡ʃo

nounB2formal
Use 'derecho' to refer to a tax or fee, especially on imported goods or services.
A hand placing coins on a counter next to official-looking documents, representing the payment of a fee or duty.

Examples

Hay que pagar los derechos de aduana para importar el coche.

You have to pay the customs duties to import the car.

La factura incluye los derechos de matrícula de la universidad.

The bill includes the university's registration fees.

tasa

TAH-sahˈtasa

nounB2formal
Use 'tasa' for a specific charge or fee, often for services like airports, passports, or certain local taxes.
A person handing a gold coin to a clerk at a wooden counter.

Examples

Debes pagar una tasa para renovar el pasaporte.

You must pay a fee to renew your passport.

Las tasas aeroportuarias están incluidas en el billete.

The airport taxes are included in the ticket.

Tasa vs. Impuesto

A 'tasa' is usually a fee you pay in exchange for a specific service (like getting a license), while an 'impuesto' is a general tax that goes to the government for everything.

responsabilidad

reh-spon-sah-bee-lee-DAHDres.pon.sa.βi.liˈðað

nounB2general
Choose 'responsabilidad' for a specific task, role, or charge that one is accountable for.
A small, focused child carefully waters a single potted green plant using a tiny red watering can, symbolizing the commitment required for responsibility.

Examples

La responsabilidad de cuidar a mi hermana es muy grande.

The responsibility of taking care of my sister is very great.

Asume la responsabilidad por tus errores.

Take responsibility for your mistakes.

El director evitó toda responsabilidad sobre el proyecto fallido.

The director avoided all accountability for the failed project.

Feminine Noun Rule

Remember that 'responsabilidad' is always a female word, so you must use 'la' before it: 'la responsabilidad'.

Prepositions with Responsibility

When talking about the thing you are responsible for, use the preposition 'de' (of): 'Tengo la responsabilidad de limpiar' (I have the responsibility to clean).

False Cognate Confusion

Mistake: “Decir 'Tengo responsibilidad' (Missing the 'a').”

Correction: The correct spelling is 'responsabilidad' (note the 'a' after the 's'), which is a bit different from the English word.

Obligación vs. Deber

The most common confusion is between 'obligación' and 'deber'. While both imply responsibility, 'obligación' often refers to a more concrete, imposed requirement (legal or social), whereas 'deber' leans towards a moral or ethical imperative.

Related Translations

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