tungkulin

Tungkulin is a Filipino noun that denotes duty, obligation, or responsibility. In everyday usage, it refers to the expected tasks or functions associated with a person’s role in a given context, such as family, work, or community.

In the family, tungkulin often refers to parental responsibilities, care, provision, and guidance; among children, duties such as studying and showing respect. In the workplace, it describes job duties and professional responsibilities that one is obliged to perform. In civic life, it can describe duties of citizens—obeying laws, contributing to community affairs, and supporting the common good.

Usage and connotations: tungkulin implies obligation and accountability and may be framed as an ethical expectation rather than mere personal preference. The term is common in formal or educational settings, as well as in speeches about character, governance, and social behavior.

As a cultural concept, tungkulin intersects with the idea of role and responsibility across generations, reinforcing social norms about duty within families and communities. It is often discussed alongside related notions such as karapatan (rights) and obligasyon (obligation) to describe a balanced framework of personal and social duties.