Verpflichtet

Verpflichtet is the past participle and adjective form of the German verb verpflichten, meaning to obligate or bind to a duty. As an adjective it denotes that someone or something is obligated, bound by a duty, or liable to perform an action. In English, it is commonly translated as obliged, bound, or committed.

It is used with sein to express a current obligation: “Ich bin verpflichtet, die Unterlagen bis Montag einzureichen.” In sentences with a direct obligation, a subordinate infinitive clause follows, usually with zu: “Der Vertrag verpflichtet den Käufer, die Ware zu akzeptieren.” “Die Mitarbeiter sind verpflichtet, Überstunden zu leisten.” The phrase can appear in different tenses: “war verpflichtet,” “ist verpflichtet gewesen.”

Verpflichtet is often found in legal, administrative, and formal contexts. It differs from verbindlich (binding) and from pflichtig (due or liable). Verpflichtung refers to the obligation itself, while verpflichtet describes the state of being bound. As a predicative adjective it agrees with the subject: “Er ist verpflichtet” (he is obliged).

Etymologically, verpflichtet derives from the noun Pflicht (duty) with the prefix ver-, signaling a formal or intensified sense of binding. Its use signals formal or legal commitments rather than merely personal or moral obligations. Related terms include Verpflichtung (obligation), vertragliche Verpflichtung (contractual obligation), and verbindlich (binding).