义务 yìwù duty
duty; obligation; volunteer (work etc)
How to remember 义务: 义 right conduct + 务 affairs = duty.
Characters
How it is used
- Pairs with 权利 (quánlì, rights) - 权利和义务 (rights and obligations) is a fixed phrase in law and civics.
- 义务教育 (compulsory education) and 义务劳动 (volunteer, unpaid labor) are the two most common collocations, both implying duty without pay.
- As an attributive it can mean free/volunteer, as in 义务献血 - donate blood for free.
Example sentences
- 这是您的义务。 Zhè shì nín de yìwù.That's your responsibility.
- 你有义务还债。 Nǐ yǒu yìwù huánzhài.You're liable for the debt.