pligt

Pligt is a Danish noun meaning duty, obligation, or moral responsibility. It denotes something a person is expected or required to do, whether by law, contract, or social norms. In Norwegian and Swedish, the word plikt carries the same meaning; cognates include the German Pflicht and Dutch plicht, reflecting a common Germanic heritage.

In legal contexts, pligt refers to duties imposed by statutes or binding agreements. In ethical or everyday usage, it denotes moral obligations that a person feels compelled to fulfill. Pligt can describe personal responsibilities, civic duties, or professional requirements. Examples in Danish include Det er min pligt at betale skat (It is my duty to pay taxes) and Jeg gjorde det af pligt, ikke af lyst (I did it out of duty, not desire).

The concept is often linked to the sense of duty, or pligtfølelse, which motivates action beyond personal convenience. It is important to distinguish pligt from forpligtelse, another Danish term for obligation that is more formal or externally imposed, whereas pligt emphasizes duty and moral or social expectation.

Across contexts, pligt shapes discussions of ethics, law, education, and social behavior within Danish-speaking communities. It highlights how individuals are viewed as bearing responsibilities toward others and toward the community, and how compliance with such duties is integral to social order.