forplikte

Forplikte is a Norwegian verb meaning to obligate or to bind someone or oneself to an obligation. It is commonly used in legal, contractual, and formal contexts, but can also appear in everyday language when someone commits to a task or responsibility. The related noun is forpliktelse, referring to an obligation or commitment, and the adjective forpliktende describes something binding.

Etymology and form: the verb is derived from the noun plikt (duty) with the prefix for-, producing a transitive sense of binding someone to a duty. The infinitive is å forplikte; present tense is forplikter; past tense is forpliktet; past participle is also forpliktet. The passive or perfect constructions use have/er forpliktet, as in har forpliktet or er forpliktet til.

Usage notes: forplikte is often used with the reflexive form to indicate a personal commitment, as in å forplikte seg til å gjøre noe (to commit oneself to doing something). It is also used with an object to express a binding effect, for example en avtale som forplikter partene til å levere innen en frist (an agreement that obligates the parties to deliver by a deadline). The phrase er forpliktet til expresses being obligated to do something.

Related terms: forpliktelse (obligation), plikt (duty), forpliktende (binding), and non-binding expressions such as ikke forpliktende (non-binding). In legal and contractual contexts, forplikte conveys formal and enforceable commitments, while in everyday speech it can describe personal responsibility.