Verpflichtungen
Ich habe viele berufliche und private Verpflichtungen.
I have many professional and personal obligations.
Duties or responsibilities that one is legally, morally, or contractually bound to fulfill.
Die Firma hat ihre finanziellen Verpflichtungen nicht erfüllt.
The company did not meet its financial obligations.
Eltern haben die Verpflichtung, für ihre Kinder zu sorgen.
Parents have the obligation to care for their children.
Often used in legal, financial, or personal contexts to describe duties that cannot be ignored.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Collocations
Remember that 'Verpflichtungen' often pairs with adjectives like 'beruflich' (professional), 'finanziell' (financial), or 'familiär' (family) to specify the context. Example: 'familiäre Verpflichtungen' (family obligations).
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'Verpflichtungen' in formal or written contexts (e.g., legal documents, contracts). In casual speech, 'Pflichten' or 'Verantwortlichkeiten' may be more common.
Word Origin
From the verb 'verpflichten' (to obligate, commit) + '-ung' (suffix forming nouns from verbs, indicating action or result). 'Verpflichten' itself comes from 'ver-' (a prefix indicating completion or intensification) + 'pflichten' (to pledge, from Middle High German 'phlichten', related to 'Pflicht' meaning duty).
Usage Notes
The singular form 'Verpflichtung' is more commonly used in everyday speech, while the plural 'Verpflichtungen' often appears in formal or legal contexts to emphasize multiple duties. Avoid confusing with 'Verpflichtung' (singular) which can also mean 'commitment' in a broader sense.