verpflichten
Translation
to oblige, to commit, to sign up, to engage
Examples
Das Gesetz verpflichtet uns zur Hilfe.
The law obliges us to help.
Er verpflichtete sich, das Geheimnis zu wahren.
He committed himself to keeping the secret.
Der Verein hat einen neuen Spieler verpflichtet.
The club has signed a new player.
Grammar Patterns
((j-n)) ((zu et3)) to oblige (sb.) to (do sth.) The contract obliges him to pay.
((sich4)) ((zu et3)) to commit oneself to (sth.) I commit myself to secrecy.
((j-n)) to sign (sb.) (e.g. an athlete) The club signed the striker.
Similar Words
Etymology
Composed of the prefix 'ver-' (making something into a state) and the noun 'Pflicht' (duty, obligation). Literally 'to make something a duty'.
Memory Tips
You can see the word 'Pflicht' (duty) inside 'verpflichten'. The prefix 'ver-' turns the noun 'duty' into the verb 'to make it a duty'.