Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| deber | /deˈbeɾ/ | masculine |
| cometido | /komeˈtido/ | |
| menester | /menesˈteɾ/ | |
| obligación | /obliɡaˈθjon/ /obliɡaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
The term duty refers to that which one is morally or legally obligated to do. In Spanish, deber can function as a noun meaning duty, but it also acts as a verb meaning must or should.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the specific nuance of the duty. Deber refers to a moral or legal duty. Obligación is a formal option often used for more concrete, binding obligations or requirements. If you are referring to a specific duty in the sense of a mission, task or assigned role, use cometido. Menester is used to describe a duty or a necessity.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Obligación is a formal option for expressing duty. Cometido is used when referring to a specific duty in the sense of a mission, task or assigned role. Menester is a highly formal or literary term.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the act of fulfilling or doing a duty, the verb cumplir is typically paired with the preposition con (cumplir con un deber).
How do you pronounce it?
/deˈbeɾ/
Did you know?
- The word obligación is rooted in the Latin 'ligāre', meaning 'to bind'. This is the same root that gives us the English word 'ligament'.
- While deber means duty, the verb deber can also be used to express a probability or a guess about a current state.
- In many Spanish-speaking contexts, if you want to say it is 'necessary' to do something, you might use the phrase es menester, which treats the concept of necessity as a formal duty or requirement.
Examples in context
- Cumple con su deber.He does his duty.This sentence shows the use of deber in the present tense.Tatoeba #2266214 by cueyayotl, translation #2266213 by _undertoad
- Cumplió con su deber.He did his duty.This sentence shows the use of deber in the past tense.Tatoeba #3252669 by Shishir, translation #2981246 by CM
- Sabes que es tu deber.You know it's your duty.This sentence shows the use of deber in a personal context.Tatoeba #2227935 by Shishir, translation #10153865 by DJ_Saidez
- Es mi deber ayudar a los demás.It is my duty to help others.
- Tenemos el deber de proteger el medio ambiente.We have the duty to protect the environment.
- Cumple con tu deber, por favor.Please fulfill your duty.
- Es mi obligación como ciudadano votar en las elecciones.It is my duty as a citizen to vote in the elections.
- Tenemos la obligación de respetar las normas de la empresa.We have the duty to respect the company's rules.
- Tienes la responsabilidad de mantener tu habitación ordenada.You have the duty to keep your room tidy.
- La responsabilidad de estudiar es tuya.The duty to study is yours.
- 65 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing their roles at a non-profit organization.
- MateoMi deber es ayudar a la comunidad.My duty is to help the community.
- LucíaEs un deber muy noble, Mateo.It is a very noble duty, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Y cuál es tu deber aquí?And what is your duty here?
- LucíaMi deber es organizar los eventos.My duty is to organize the events.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “duty” translations and entries deber, cometido, menester, obligación, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cometido, deber, menester, obligación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
