die Verpflichtung, -en

Meaning (English):

• Obligation / commitment / duty — something you are required to do, either legally, morally, or by agreement.
• It can also mean a liability or responsibility arising from a contract or situation.

Multiple common senses:

1. Legal/contractual obligation: a duty created by law or contract.
   Example sense: eine vertragliche Verpflichtung = a contractual obligation.
2. Moral/social commitment: a duty you feel you “ought” to fulfill.
   Example sense: eine Verpflichtung gegenüber der Familie = an obligation to one’s family.

Word parts (structure)

• ver- (prefix; often indicates causing/bringing about or putting into a certain state)
• Pflicht = duty, obligation
• -ung (suffix forming a noun from a verb/action; result or process)

Related verb: (sich) verpflichten = to obligate (oneself), to commit (oneself).

German synonyms (depending on context)

• Pflicht (duty)
• Verbindlichkeit (binding commitment; also “liability” in some contexts)
• Obliegenheit (formal/legal: duty incumbent on someone)
• Schuldigkeit (older/more formal: duty/obligation)
• Bindung (commitment/bond, more general)

German antonyms (if applicable)

• Freiheit (freedom)
• Unverbindlichkeit (non-bindingness; lack of commitment)
• Befreiung (von einer Verpflichtung) (release/exemption from an obligation)