obligation duty responsibility
都含“义务”、“责任”的意思.
obligation指“一个人在特定时间内必须尽的义务或责任”, 如:
To pay taxes is anobligation.
纳税是一种义务.
duty 指“按道德、法律、社会习惯或良心应尽的本分、义务和责任”,着重“自觉”,如:
Don't forget your duty to your parents.
不要忘记对父母的责任.
responsibility 指“由于法律、职业或道德等方面的要求, 而应尽的责任或义务”, 着重“必须对后果负责”, 如:
accept full responsibility for one's error
对自己的错误负完全责任.
liability 十分类似于responsibility,时常是难以区分使用,主要是侧重于责任义务的合法性,多用于money相关话题.
如,
Tenants have leagal liability for any damage they cause.