义务

• Pinyin: yì wù
• Hanzi breakdown: 义 = simplified form of 義, meaning righteousness or justice; 务 = 力 (strength/effort) + 攵 (tap/strike radical), meaning a task or something one must do

Meaning

Duty; obligation; moral or legal responsibility. Something one is bound to do, either by law, social norms, or moral conscience.

Refers to both moral obligations (as a member of society or family) and legal duties. 义务教育 is compulsory free education. 义务劳动 is voluntary unpaid service. 尽义务 means to fulfil one's duty. Contrasts with 权利 (rights). Often paired with 权利 in discussions about civic responsibilities.

Examples

1. 纳税是每个公民应该履行的基本义务。 Paying taxes is a basic obligation that every citizen should fulfil.
2. 父母有义务为孩子提供良好的教育环境。 Parents have an obligation to provide a good educational environment for their children.
3. 参加义务劳动让他感到很有意义。 Participating in voluntary work made him feel very fulfilled.

Usage Guide

Context: civic, legal, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 遵守法律是每个公民的义务。(Obeying the law is every citizen's duty.)
• 这项工作完全是义务性的，没有任何报酬。(This work is entirely voluntary and has no pay at all.)

Don't Say

• 把'义务'与'权利'混用 (Don't confuse 义务 (duty/obligation) with 权利 (rights/entitlements) — they are antonyms; having a 权利 means you are entitled to something, having an 义务 means you are required to do something)

Origin & History

A compound of 义 (righteousness; justice) and 务 (task; duty; must-do). Together they describe an obligation rooted in moral rightness or social responsibility.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal