Duties Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ผ
duties
[หdjuห.tiหz ]
Definition
work responsibilities
Tasks or actions that someone is required to perform as part of their job or role. Duties can vary depending on the specific position and may include things like answering phones, attending meetings, completing reports, and interacting with clients.
Synonyms
obligations, responsibilities, tasks.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| duties |
Often used to describe roles or jobs assigned to someone based on their position, such as in a job description or legal requirements.
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| responsibilities |
Describes duties or expectations that someone is accountable for, typically in a personal or professional context. It often emphasizes the importance of being reliable and dependable.
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| tasks |
Refers to specific pieces of work or activities that need to be done, often short-term and goal-oriented.
|
| obligations |
Used to refer to a moral or legal requirement to do something. It often implies a sense of duty or requirement that might not be optional.
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Examples of usage
- He has a long list of duties to complete before the end of the day.
- One of her duties is to ensure all customer complaints are addressed promptly.
- They are assigned different duties based on their areas of expertise.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Philosophy
- Philosopher Immanuel Kant emphasized duties in ethics, stating that moral actions must be grounded in duty rather than consequence.
- The concept of duty can vary widely between cultures, reflecting different values around responsibility and obligation.
- In virtue ethics, duties play a crucial role in defining what a good person should do, linking action to character.
Social Sciences
- Duties can vary by social roles; for example, parents have different duties to their children than friends do to each other.
- In many societies, community duties encourage cooperation and harmony, fostering social responsibility.
- Work duties are often regulated by laws and employment contracts, clearly outlining what is expected from employees.
Pop Culture
- In popular media, characters often face a conflict between personal desires and their duties, creating drama and tension.
- Movies like 'Harry Potter' depict the duty of friendship, where characters must support each other against challenges.
- In video games, players frequently take on roles with specific duties, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
Education
- Students learn about civic duties, which are responsibilities they have toward their community and country.
- Educational systems often teach the importance of fulfilling duties and responsibilities as part of character development.
- Group projects in school highlight duties through collaboration, where each member must contribute for success.
Origin of 'duties'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old French 'devoir', which means 'to owe', and it connects to the idea of obligations.
- In Latin, 'debere' means 'to owe', indicating that duties often come from promises or agreements.
- The initial use of 'duty' in English dates back to the 14th century, primarily related to moral or legal obligations.
The word 'duties' originated from Middle English 'dute' or 'dewte', which came from Old French 'deu' (due) and Latin 'debita' (things owed). The concept of duties as work responsibilities has been present in various languages throughout history, reflecting the societal expectations and roles individuals have had to fulfill. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a wide range of tasks and obligations within professional and personal contexts.
See also: dutifully.