- [uncountable]
the state of being forced to do something because it is your duty, or because of a law, etc. 义务；职责；责任 - obligation to do something
You are under no obligation to buy anything. 你不必非买什么东西不可。 - under any/no obligation
She did not feel under any obligation to tell him the truth. 她觉得没有义务告诉他实情。 I don't want people coming to see me out of a sense of obligation. 我不想让别人迫于无奈来看我。 - without obligation
We will send you an estimate for the work without obligation (= you do not have to accept it). 我们将寄上工程估算，仅供参考。
Extra ExamplesTopics Permission and obligationb2I am under no obligation to tell you my name. 我没有义务告诉你我的名字。 Our mortgage advice is given free and without obligation. 我们免费提供按揭贷款建议，仅供参考。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- contractual
- legal
- statutory
- …
- carry out
- discharge
- fulfil/fulfill
- …
- arise from something
- under an obligation
- without obligation
- obligation of
- …
- obligation to do something
- [countable]
something which you must do because you have promised, because of a law, etc. （已承诺的或法律等规定的）义务，责任 legal/professional/financial obligations 法律/专业/财务义务 They reminded him of his contractual obligations. 他们提醒他注意合同规定的义务。 The country has promised to comply with its international obligations. 该国已承诺遵守其国际义务。 - obligation to do something
We have a moral obligation to protect the environment. 我们有道义责任保护环境。 I have an obligation under law to protect their confidentiality. 根据法律，我有义务为他们保密。 - obligation on somebody
I felt that there was a moral obligation on me to tell the story. 我觉得讲述这个故事是我的道德义务。 We want to fulfil our obligation to farmers and see they get a fair price. 我们想履行我们对农民的义务，看他们得到公平的价格。 The company did not have enough money to meet its obligations. 该公司没有足够的钱来履行其义务。 - obligation to/toward somebody
We have an obligation to our consumers. 我们对消费者有义务。
Extra ExamplesTopics Permission and obligationb2I can't travel next month because of family obligations. 出于对家庭的责任，我下个月不能去旅行。 The builders failed to meet their contractual obligations. 建筑商没能履行合同中规定的义务。 obligations arising from your contract of employment 根据雇佣合同你须履行的义务 the obligations of citizenship 公民的义务
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- contractual
- legal
- statutory
- …
- carry out
- discharge
- fulfil/fulfill
- …
- arise from something
- under an obligation
- without obligation
- obligation of
- …
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘formal promise’): via Old French from Latin obligatio(n-), from the verb obligare, from ob- ‘towards’ + ligare ‘to bind’.
Express Yourself Asking about obligation咨询相关义务 不确定在某种情境下该做什么时可以询问应履行的义务：
What time do we have to be home? 我们必须在什么时候回到家？
Are we supposed to show our ID cards? 我们需要出示身份证吗？
Is it necessary to apply for a visa? 有必要申请签证吗？
Is there a legal obligation to wear a bike helmet here? 在这里骑自行车有没有法律规定要戴头盔？