义务

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 依法纳税是每个公民的义务。▶ —
   Paying taxes by law is every citizen’s duty.
2. 他义务为社区的老人服务。▶ —
   He serves the community’s elderly voluntarily.

Collocations

Mnemonic

义 yì "righteous" + 务 wù "task": what one ought to do, i.e. duty, obligation. Also "voluntary/unpaid" (义务劳动 = volunteer work). Pairs with and contrasts 权利 (rights).

Related

Quick check

1. What is the relationship between 权利 and 义务?

   • 权利 = what one may claim; 义务 = what one must do (paired)
   • identical
   • 权利 = color; 义务 = taste
   • 义务 = past only