Translation guide
Expressing a sense of obligation or duty in Japanese, often through set phrases and grammatical patterns.
The speaker feels a personal or social duty to perform an action.
Standard pattern meaning 'must' or 'have to', implying obligation. Often used for rules or strong personal duty.
明日までにレポートを出さなければならない。
I have to submit the report by tomorrow.
Similar to ～なければならない, but slightly more conversational. Expresses obligation.
もう行かなくてはいけない。
I have to go now.
Noun meaning 'sense of duty' or 'feeling of obligation'. Used in formal or written contexts.
彼は強い義務感からボランティアを続けている。
He continues volunteering out of a strong sense of duty.
The speaker feels they owe someone a debt of gratitude, often creating a social obligation to reciprocate.
To feel a debt of gratitude; implies a moral obligation to repay kindness.
彼には多大な恩義を感じている。
I feel a great debt of gratitude to him.
Literally 'to have a debt', used figuratively to mean feeling obliged to someone for a favor.
彼に借りがあるから、頼みを断れない。
I owe him, so I can't refuse his request.
To feel a social obligation (giri) often in relationships or traditional contexts.
お世話になった人に義理を感じて、お中元を贈る。
Out of a sense of obligation to those who have helped me, I send mid-year gifts.
The speaker feels forced to do something due to external pressure or situation, not necessarily a moral duty.
Means 'cannot help but do' or 'have no choice but to'. Implies reluctance.
雨が降っているので、試合は中止せざるを得ない。
Since it's raining, we have no choice but to cancel the game.
Expresses that one cannot avoid doing something due to social or situational pressure.
上司の誘いだから、断らないわけにはいかない。
Since it's my boss's invitation, I can't really refuse.
～なければならない expresses a self-imposed or rule-based obligation, while ～ざるを得ない implies external circumstances force the action. Use the former for duties, the latter for unavoidable situations.
税金を払わなければならない。
I must pay taxes. (duty)
バスがないので、タクシーに乗らざるを得ない。
There's no bus, so I have no choice but to take a taxi. (circumstantial)
Direct translations like '義務を感じる' are uncommon and sound unnatural. Use the patterns and phrases above depending on context.