Signification
Having a busy schedule with tasks to complete.
Contexte culturel
The 'polite lie' of busyness is common. Even if someone has free time, they might say they have 'obligations' to avoid appearing too available or to decline an invitation without hurting feelings. Similar to Greece, but the word 'δουλειές' (jobs/chores) is used even more frequently in casual speech to mean the same thing. The phrase is often preserved even when English is the primary language, with people saying 'I have many ypochreoseis' as a way to signal cultural duties like church or family events. In Greek offices, saying you have 'υποχρεώσεις' is a way to signal that you are working hard, which is valued, even if the 'obligations' are personal.
The 'Dystychos' Add-on
Always add 'δυστυχώς' (unfortunately) before or after the phrase to make it sound more sincere when declining an invitation.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget that 'υποχρεώσεις' is feminine. 'Πολλούς' is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Signification
Having a busy schedule with tasks to complete.
The 'Dystychos' Add-on
Always add 'δυστυχώς' (unfortunately) before or after the phrase to make it sound more sincere when declining an invitation.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget that 'υποχρεώσεις' is feminine. 'Πολλούς' is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Professional Polish
In emails, use 'αυξημένες υποχρεώσεις' (increased obligations) to sound like a high-level executive.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'πολύς'.
Συγγνώμη, έχω _______ υποχρεώσεις σήμερα.
The noun 'υποχρεώσεις' is feminine plural, so we use 'πολλές'.
Which phrase is the most polite way to decline a coffee invitation from a colleague?
Θέλεις να πάμε για καφέ;
This is the most balanced and polite response in a professional context.
Complete the dialogue with the correct past tense form.
Α: Γιατί δεν ήρθες χθες; Β: Γιατί _______ πολλές υποχρεώσεις.
The question asks about 'yesterday' (χθες), so we need the past tense 'είχα'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are writing a formal email to a client explaining why you are busy.
This is the most formal variation suitable for a client email.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Types of Υποχρεώσεις
Professional
- • Meetings
- • Deadlines
- • Emails
Personal
- • Bills
- • Cleaning
- • Shopping
Social
- • Family dinner
- • Weddings
- • Favors
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΣυγγνώμη, έχω _______ υποχρεώσεις σήμερα.
The noun 'υποχρεώσεις' is feminine plural, so we use 'πολλές'.
Θέλεις να πάμε για καφέ;
This is the most balanced and polite response in a professional context.
Α: Γιατί δεν ήρθες χθες; Β: Γιατί _______ πολλές υποχρεώσεις.
The question asks about 'yesterday' (χθες), so we need the past tense 'είχα'.
Situation: You are writing a formal email to a client explaining why you are busy.
This is the most formal variation suitable for a client email.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it can be for anything: family duties, errands, doctor appointments, or even social events you feel you must attend.
No, that sounds like you have 'much of a single obligation'. We always use the plural 'πολλές υποχρεώσεις' to mean 'busy'.
'Δουλειά' is work/job. 'Υποχρέωση' is a duty or obligation. You can have an 'obligation' to go to a wedding, but it's not 'work'.
Not at all! It is actually one of the most polite ways to say 'no' in Greek.
Use the past tense of 'έχω': 'Είχα πολλές υποχρεώσεις'.
Yes, you can just say 'Έχω δουλειές' (I have things to do).
Yes, it's very common in SMS and WhatsApp to explain why you can't talk.
Usually, yes. It suggests that your time is not your own right now.
You could say 'Είμαι ελεύθερος' (I am free) or 'Δεν έχω τίποτα να κάνω' (I have nothing to do).
Yes, students often use it for homework and exams.
Expressions liées
Έχω τρέξιμο
similarI have a lot of errands/running around to do.
Είμαι πνιγμένος
similarI am swamped/drowned in work.
Δεν προλαβαίνω
builds onI don't have enough time.
Εκκρεμότητες
specialized formPending tasks / loose ends.
