Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obligation'

English Word: obligation

Key Russian Translations:

• обязанность /ɐb.zɐˈnɔsʲ.tʲ/ - [Formal; used for general moral or personal duties]
• обязательство /ɐb.zɐˈzɑ.t͡svə/ - [Formal; often in legal or contractual contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday discussions, legal documents, and educational contexts in Russian-speaking regions).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal language structures; for "обязанность," it's straightforward, but "обязательство" may vary slightly in nuance).

Pronunciation (Russian):

обязанность: /ɐb.zɐˈnɔsʲ.tʲ/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'ы' sound is a soft, high vowel, common in Russian.)

обязательство: /ɐb.zɐˈzɑ.t͡svə/ (Stress on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'т' before 'с', which can be tricky for learners.)

Note on обязанность: Be cautious with the soft sign 'ь' at the end, which affects pronunciation but not spelling in related forms.

Note on обязательство: This word often has a more clipped pronunciation in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A moral or legal duty that one is bound to fulfill

Translation(s) & Context:

• обязанность - Used in everyday personal or ethical contexts, such as family responsibilities.
• обязательство - Applied in formal or contractual situations, like business agreements.

Usage Examples:

• Моя основная обязанность — заботиться о семье.

  My main obligation is to take care of the family.

• Он выполнил все свои обязательства по контракту.

  He fulfilled all his obligations under the contract.

• В обществе у каждого есть обязанности перед обществом.

  In society, everyone has obligations towards society.

• Эти обязанности часто конфликтуют с личными желаниями.

  These obligations often conflict with personal desires.

Meaning 2: A commitment or requirement imposed by law or custom

Translation(s) & Context:

• обязанность - In broader social or customary contexts, emphasizing societal expectations.
• обязательство - Specifically for binding agreements, such as financial or legal obligations.

Usage Examples:

• Налоговые обязательства должны быть выполнены к концу года.

  Tax obligations must be fulfilled by the end of the year.

• Её обязанность как учителя — вдохновлять учеников.

  Her obligation as a teacher is to inspire her students.

• Международные обязательства России включают экологические соглашения.

  Russia's international obligations include environmental agreements.

• Это не просто обязанность, а долг перед предками.

  This is not just an obligation but a duty to our ancestors.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Обязанность" is a feminine noun (3rd declension), which undergoes regular declension based on case and number. "Обязательство" is a neuter noun with its own inflection patterns.

Note: These words do not change in gender but follow standard Russian declension rules. Irregularities are minimal, making them relatively predictable for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • долг (dolg) - More emotional, implying a debt or moral burden.
  • ответственность (otvetstvennost') - Emphasizes accountability, often in professional settings.
• Antonyms:
  • свобода (svoboda) - Freedom, the opposite of being bound.
  • необязательность (neobyazatelnost') - Non-binding or optional nature.

Related Phrases:

• Выполнить обязанность (vyipolnit' obyazannost') - To fulfill an obligation; used in contexts of completing tasks or duties.
• Принять на себя обязательства (prinjat' na sebya obyazatel'stva) - To take on obligations; common in legal or personal commitment scenarios.
• Освободиться от обязательств (osvobodit'sya ot obyazatel'stv) - To be released from obligations; implies relief from responsibilities.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "обязанность" is the go-to translation for everyday obligations, while "обязательство" is preferred for formal or legal contexts. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the use of specific cases (e.g., genitive for possession), so phrases like "my obligation" become "моя обязанность." Be mindful of the formal tone; overuse in casual speech might sound overly serious. When choosing between translations, opt for "обязанность" for personal duties and "обязательство" for contracts to ensure precise correspondence.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "обязанность" with "обязательство" in casual contexts. For example, a learner might say "Моя обязательство" instead of "Моя обязанность" for a personal duty.
  Correct: Use "обязанность" for non-legal obligations. Explanation: "Обязательство" implies a binding agreement, so it sounds unnatural in everyday talk.
• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., using "обязанность" in the wrong case like "Я вижу обязательность" instead of "Я вижу обязанность."
  Correct: "Я вижу обязанность" (accusative). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with their grammatical role, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, obligations (especially "обязанность") often carry a strong sense of collective responsibility, rooted in historical contexts like Soviet-era communal duties. This can make the word feel more weighty than in English, reflecting values of endurance and loyalty in family and society.

Related Concepts:

• долг
• ответственность
• права (prava) - Rights, as obligations are often paired with rights in legal discussions.