How common it is
义务 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say yì wù slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
义务指应该做的事情或责任，常与法律、道德或社会要求相关。
Yì wù zhǐ yīnggāi zuò de shìqíng huò zérèn, cháng yǔ fǎlǜ, dàodé huò shèhuì yāoqiú xiāngguān.
Duty refers to something that should be done or a responsibility, often related to law, morality, or social requirements.
Context note
每个公民都有义务遵守法律，比如红灯停绿灯行。
Měi gè gōngmín dōu yǒu yì wù zūnshǒu fǎlǜ, bǐrú hóng dēng tíng lǜ dēng xíng.
Every citizen has a duty to obey the law, such as stopping at red lights and going at green lights.
5 examples
帮助别人是我们的义务。
bāng zhù bié rén shì wǒ men de yì wù。
Helping others is our duty.
学生有义务完成作业。
xué shēng yǒu yì wù wán chéng zuò yè。
Students have a duty to finish homework.
保护环境是每个人的义务。
bǎo hù huán jìng shì měi gè rén de yì wù。
Protecting the environment is everyone's duty.
他有义务照顾生病的妈妈。
tā yǒu yì wù zhào gù shēng bìng de mā ma。
He has a duty to take care of his sick mother.
遵守校规是学生的义务。
zūn shǒu xiào guī shì xué shēng de yì wù。
Following school rules is a student's duty.
5 mini stories
小明的义务是每天喂小狗。他从不忘记。
xiǎo míng de yì wù shì měi tiān wèi xiǎo gǒu。 tā cóng bú wàng jì。
Xiao Ming's duty is to feed the puppy every day. He never forgets.
小红觉得打扫教室是她的义务。她总是做得很认真。
xiǎo hóng jué de dǎ sǎo jiào shì shì tā de yì wù。 tā zǒng shì zuò dé hěn rèn zhēn。
Xiao Hong thinks cleaning the classroom is her duty. She always does it carefully.
小刚的义务是帮奶奶提东西。他觉得很开心。
xiǎo gāng de yì wù shì bāng nǎi nai tí dōng xī。 tā jué de hěn kāi xīn。
Xiao Gang's duty is to help grandma carry things. He feels very happy.
小丽认为爱护书本是学生的义务。她从不乱画。
xiǎo lì rèn wéi ài hù shū běn shì xué shēng de yì wù。 tā cóng bú luàn huà。
Xiao Li thinks taking care of books is a student's duty. She never draws on them.
小华的义务是关灯节约用电。他每晚都记得。
xiǎo huá de yì wù shì guān dēng jié yuē yòng diàn。 tā měi wǎn dōu jì de。
Xiao Hua's duty is to turn off lights to save electricity. He remembers every night.