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obligación

obligation

noun oh-blee-gah-SYOHN Less Common
People & Society Law

Also means

bond (finance)

Usage Note

Obligación expresses both a moral duty and a legal requirement. In finance, obligaciones are bonds or debt securities — a common false friend trap for business learners who may expect 'obligation' to mean only a personal duty. The verb obligar (to compel) and the adjective obligatorio (mandatory) share the same root.

Examples

"Tienes la obligación de pagar los impuestos."

Natural Translation

You have an obligation to pay taxes.

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