obligar

Obligar is a Spanish verb in its infinitive form meaning to compel or to oblige someone to do something. It denotes imposing a duty, constraint, or requirement, whether by law, rule, authority, or social expectation. The action is transitive and typically takes a direct object representing the person or thing affected.

Usage and constructions: The most common pattern is obligar a + infinitive, as in La empresa obliga a sus empleados a usar casco, or La ley obliga a presentar la declaración. The verb can also govern a subordinate clause with subjunctive in more formal or legal language: El juez obligó a que compareciera el testigo. Additionally, estar obligado/a expresses personal obligation: Estoy obligado a pagar impuestos.

Conjugation: Obligar is a regular -ar verb. Present: obligo, obligas, obliga, obligamos, obligáis, obligan. Preterite: obligué, obligaste, obligó, obligamos, obligasteis, obligaron. Imperfect: obligaba, obligabas, obligaba, obligábamos, obligabais, obligaban. Present subjunctive: obligue, obligues, obligue, obliguemos, obliguéis, obliguen. Imperfect subjunctive: obligara / obligase, obligaras / obligases, obligara / obligase, obligáramos / obligásemos, obligarais / obligaseis, obligaran / obligasen. Gerund: obligando; past participle: obligado.

Etymology and related forms: The verb comes from Latin obligare, from ob- + ligare, “to bind.” Related nouns and adjectives include obligación (obligation), obligado (obligated), and obligante (one that obligates). Usage varies with formality and juridical context.

Notes: Obligar emphasizes obligation or duty more than physical force, though coercive effect can be present. It is often contrasted with forzar, which stresses compulsion or force. In legal and contractual language, “obligar” frequently appears in phrases about duties and requirements.