दायित्व निभाना
दायित्व निभाना in 30 Seconds
- A formal Hindi phrase meaning 'to fulfill responsibility,' often used in professional, social, or moral contexts to show commitment.
- Combines the noun 'Dāyitva' (duty) with the verb 'Nibhānā' (to sustain/fulfill), emphasizing consistency and integrity in action.
- Commonly heard in news, formal speeches, and literature, it distinguishes a serious obligation from a simple task or chore.
- Requires proper gender agreement (Dāyitva is masculine) and is a key marker of B1-level proficiency in Hindi communication.
The phrase दायित्व निभाना (Dāyitva Nibhānā) is a sophisticated and formal Hindi expression that translates to 'to fulfill a responsibility' or 'to discharge a duty.' It is composed of two primary elements: the noun दायित्व (Dāyitva), meaning 'responsibility' or 'obligation,' and the verb निभाना (Nibhānā), which means 'to carry out,' 'to fulfill,' or 'to maintain.' Unlike the more common word काम (kām - work), दायित्व carries a weight of moral, legal, or social obligation. It implies that the task at hand is not just something one does, but something one is expected to do as part of a role or a commitment. When you use निभाना with it, you are emphasizing the process of seeing that responsibility through to the end with integrity and consistency.
- Formal Context
- In professional environments, this phrase is used to describe an employee's adherence to their job description. For example, a manager might say, 'वह अपना दायित्व बहुत अच्छी तरह से निभा रहा है' (He is fulfilling his responsibility very well).
समाज के प्रति हमारा एक विशेष दायित्व निभाना आवश्यक है। (It is necessary to fulfill a specific responsibility towards society.)
The nuance of निभाना is particularly important. It suggests a journey or a relationship with the task. You don't just 'do' a responsibility; you 'live' it or 'uphold' it. This makes the phrase common in discussions about family, where a son might fulfill his responsibility toward his elderly parents, or in politics, where a leader fulfills their responsibility toward the nation. It is often contrasted with 'भागना' (to run away), where someone avoids their duties. In the Indian cultural context, this phrase is deeply linked to the concept of Dharma, where the performance of one's role in the cosmic and social order is the highest virtue. Therefore, when someone is said to be 'दायित्व निभाने वाला' (one who fulfills responsibilities), it is a high compliment regarding their character and reliability.
- Social Context
- In social settings, it refers to the unwritten rules of community living, such as helping a neighbor or protecting the environment. Using this phrase shows a high level of Hindi proficiency and cultural awareness.
माता-पिता का दायित्व निभाना हर संतान का धर्म है। (Fulfilling the responsibility of parents is the duty of every child.)
Furthermore, the phrase is frequently used in editorial columns and news reports when discussing the failure or success of government institutions. If a department fails to provide clean water, the media might say they are not 'दायित्व निभा रहे.' This gives the phrase a critical edge in political discourse. It is not just about personal chores; it is about the systemic and ethical bonds that hold a society together. To master this phrase is to understand the Hindi speaker's view on duty and commitment.
Using दायित्व निभाना correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure as a compound verb phrase. The word दायित्व functions as the direct object, and निभाना is the transitive verb that changes based on tense, gender, and number. Because it is a formal expression, it is often paired with possessive pronouns like अपना (one's own), उनका (their), or हमारा (our). For instance, 'मैं अपना दायित्व निभा रहा हूँ' (I am fulfilling my responsibility). Here, 'निभा रहा हूँ' agrees with the first-person masculine subject.
- Tense Variations
- In the past tense, it often takes the 'ने' (ne) construction: 'उसने अपना दायित्व निभाया' (He/She fulfilled their responsibility). In the future tense, it becomes 'निभाएगा' (will fulfill).
क्या आप अपना दायित्व निभाने के लिए तैयार हैं? (Are you ready to fulfill your responsibility?)
When used in the infinitive form निभाना, it often acts as a noun (gerund). For example, 'दायित्व निभाना आसान नहीं है' (Fulfilling responsibility is not easy). This structure is perfect for making general statements or philosophical observations. You can also add adverbs to modify the action. Words like पूरी तरह से (completely), निष्ठापूर्वक (faithfully), or सफलतापूर्वक (successfully) are common companions. 'उन्होंने निष्ठापूर्वक अपना दायित्व निभाया' translates to 'They fulfilled their responsibility faithfully.' This adds a layer of quality to the action being described.
- Passive and Modal Usage
- You can use it with modal verbs like 'चाहिए' (should). 'हमें अपना दायित्व निभाना चाहिए' (We should fulfill our responsibility). This is perhaps the most common way learners will encounter the phrase.
संकट के समय में ही असली दायित्व निभाया जाता है। (Real responsibility is fulfilled only during times of crisis.)
In more advanced usage, you might see the causative form or the passive voice, though they are rarer. The focus is almost always on the agent (the person) and their commitment to the task. It is also worth noting that दायित्व is a masculine noun, but since it's part of a verb phrase where the verb निभाना is transitive, the gender of the object दायित्व dictates the verb ending in the perfective aspect when the 'ने' particle is used. For example, 'मैंने दायित्व निभाया' (I fulfilled the responsibility) - here 'निभाया' is masculine because 'दायित्व' is masculine, regardless of whether the speaker is male or female.
You are most likely to encounter दायित्व निभाना in formal settings, media, and literature. If you watch Hindi news channels like Aaj Tak or NDTV India, you will frequently hear anchors and reporters using this phrase when discussing the duties of the police, the judiciary, or the government. For instance, during an election cycle, the Election Commission is often reminded of its 'दायित्व' to ensure a fair vote. It is a staple of political rhetoric, where leaders promise to 'अपना दायित्व पूरी निष्ठा से निभाएंगे' (fulfill their responsibility with full integrity) to win the trust of the voters.
- Corporate World
- In Indian offices, especially in HR communications or annual reports, 'Corporate Social Responsibility' is translated as 'कॉर्पोरेट सामाजिक दायित्व' (CSR). Companies often talk about 'निभाना' these social duties through charity or environmental initiatives.
शिक्षक का मुख्य दायित्व निभाना केवल पढ़ाना नहीं, बल्कि मार्गदर्शन करना है। (A teacher's main responsibility is not just to teach, but to guide.)
In Bollywood movies, particularly those with a serious or patriotic theme, this phrase appears in high-stakes dialogues. A police officer might tell a corrupt politician, 'मैं वर्दी का दायित्व निभा रहा हूँ' (I am fulfilling the responsibility of the uniform). It adds a layer of gravitas and moral superiority to the character. Similarly, in family dramas, an elder might lecture a younger relative about 'पारिवारिक दायित्व' (family responsibilities), emphasizing that being part of a family requires more than just presence; it requires active fulfillment of duties.
- Educational Settings
- Schools and universities in India use this phrase in their mission statements. Students are often taught about their 'नागरिक दायित्व' (civic responsibilities) in Civics classes.
हर नागरिक को मतदान का दायित्व निभाना चाहिए। (Every citizen should fulfill the responsibility of voting.)
Lastly, you will find this phrase in Hindi literature and poetry (Sahitya). Authors use it to explore themes of sacrifice and duty. It is rarely heard in very casual, slang-heavy conversations among teenagers, who might prefer the English word 'responsibility' or the simpler 'काम'. However, if a young person is speaking to an elder or in a serious tone, they will revert to दायित्व निभाना to show respect and maturity. Understanding this word helps you navigate the spectrum of formality in Indian society, from the street to the boardroom.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing दायित्व निभाना with दायित्व लेना (Dāyitva Lenā). While 'निभाना' means to fulfill or carry out a responsibility you already have, 'लेना' means to take on or accept a new responsibility. For example, if you are promoted, you दायित्व लेते हैं (take responsibility), and then every day at work, you दायित्व निभाते हैं (fulfill that responsibility). Using 'लेना' when you mean 'fulfilling' can make your sentence sound like you are just beginning the task rather than performing it.
- Verb Confusion
- Another common error is using 'करना' (to do) instead of 'निभाना'. While 'दायित्व करना' is technically understandable, it sounds unnatural and 'thin' to a native speaker. 'निभाना' is the 'collocation'—the word that naturally fits best with 'दायित्व'.
गलत: मैंने अपना दायित्व किया। (Incorrect: I did my responsibility.)
सही: मैंने अपना दायित्व निभाया। (Correct: I fulfilled my responsibility.)
Gender agreement is another stumbling block. Remember that दायित्व is a masculine noun. In the past tense with 'ने', the verb must be 'निभाया' (masculine singular), regardless of the subject's gender. A woman would say, 'मैंने अपना दायित्व निभाया,' not 'निभाई.' However, in the continuous tense, the verb agrees with the subject: 'वह (स्त्री) अपना दायित्व निभा रही है.' Mastering this distinction is key to reaching the B1 and B2 levels of Hindi proficiency.
- Preposition Errors
- Learners often forget the 'के प्रति' (towards) or 'का' (of) when specifying the responsibility. You fulfill the responsibility *of* something or *towards* someone. 'देश के प्रति दायित्व' (responsibility towards the country).
उसने अपनी टीम के प्रति अपना दायित्व निभाया। (He fulfilled his responsibility towards his team.)
Finally, avoid overusing this phrase in very casual settings. If you are just talking about doing the dishes, saying 'मैं बर्तन धोने का दायित्व निभा रहा हूँ' will sound like you are being sarcastic or overly dramatic. In such cases, simple verbs like 'धोना' or 'साफ करना' are better. Use दायित्व निभाना when the action has a significant impact or reflects a serious commitment. Misusing the register (formal vs. informal) is a subtle mistake that separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers.
There are several ways to express the idea of duty and fulfillment in Hindi, each with its own shade of meaning. The most common alternative is ज़िम्मेदारी पूरा करना (Zimmedārī pūrā karnā). While 'दायित्व' is of Sanskrit origin, 'ज़िम्मेदारी' comes from Persian/Urdu. In everyday conversation, 'ज़िम्मेदारी' is much more common. It feels slightly more personal and less 'official' than 'दायित्व'. If you are talking about picking up groceries, use 'ज़िम्मेदारी'. If you are talking about a constitutional duty, use 'दायित्व'.
- दायित्व vs. कर्तव्य
- 'कर्तव्य' (Kartavya) means 'duty'. While 'दायित्व' emphasizes the burden of responsibility, 'कर्तव्य' emphasizes the moral 'ought-to-do' aspect. You 'निभाना' (fulfill) a 'दायित्व', but you often 'पालन करना' (follow/adhere to) a 'कर्तव्य'.
सैनिक सीमा पर अपना कर्तव्य निभाते हैं। (Soldiers fulfill their duty at the border.)
Another formal alternative is उत्तरदायित्व (Uttardāyitva), which specifically means 'accountability'. This is used when there is a consequence for not fulfilling the duty. If something goes wrong, the person with the 'उत्तरदायित्व' is the one who must answer for it. Then there is भार उठाना (Bhār uṭhānā), which literally means 'to lift the weight'. This is a metaphorical way to say someone is taking on a heavy responsibility, often used in emotional or stressful contexts. 'उसने पूरे परिवार का भार उठाया' (He took on the weight of the whole family).
- Comparison Table
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- दायित्व निभाना: Formal, emphasizes the process of fulfillment.
- ज़िम्मेदारी उठाना: Common, emphasizes taking on the task.
- कर्तव्य पालन: Moral/Ethical, emphasizes following rules.
- उत्तरदायित्व: Accountability, emphasizes being answerable.
हमें अपने उत्तरदायित्व से पीछे नहीं हटना चाहिए। (We should not back down from our accountability.)
Lastly, in very simple Hindi, you can just say काम पूरा करना (to complete the work). While this lacks the depth of दायित्व निभाना, it is perfectly fine for basic communication. However, as you progress to the B1 level and beyond, using these nuanced alternatives will help you express precise emotions and degrees of formality. Choosing between 'दायित्व', 'ज़िम्मेदारी', and 'कर्तव्य' shows that you understand not just the language, but the cultural values attached to work and duty in the Hindi-speaking world.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'Dāyitva' as 'Die-tva' (it should be 'Daa-yit-va').
- Forgetting the aspiration in 'bhā' in 'nibhānā'.
- Treating 'v' as a hard 'w'.
Examples by Level
मैं अपना दायित्व निभाता हूँ।
I fulfill my responsibility.
Simple present tense, masculine subject.
क्या आप अपना दायित्व निभाते हैं?
Do you fulfill your responsibility?
Interrogative sentence.
वह अपना दायित्व निभाती है।
She fulfills her responsibility.
Simple present tense, feminine subject.
बच्चे अपना दायित्व निभाते हैं।
Children fulfill their responsibility.
Plural subject.
मेरा दायित्व क्या है?
What is my responsibility?
Noun usage of 'दायित्व'.
अपना दायित्व निभाओ!
Fulfill your responsibility!
Imperative (command) form.
हम अपना दायित्व निभाएंगे।
We will fulfill our responsibility.
Future tense.
यह मेरा दायित्व है।
This is my responsibility.
Simple demonstrative sentence.
हमें अपना दायित्व निभाना चाहिए।
We should fulfill our responsibility.
Use of 'चाहिए' for obligation.
वह अपना दायित्व नहीं निभा रहा है।
He is not fulfilling his responsibility.
Present continuous negative.
क्या आपने अपना दायित्व निभाया?
Did you fulfill your responsibility?
Past tense with 'ने' particle.
अच्छे बच्चे अपना दायित्व निभाते हैं।
Good children fulfill their responsibility.
Adjective 'अच्छे' modifying the subject.
दायित्व निभाना अच्छी बात है।
Fulfilling responsibility is a good thing.
Infinitive as a subject.
मैं कल अपना दायित्व निभाऊँगा।
I will fulfill my responsibility tomorrow.
Future tense with 'कल'.
उसने अपना दायित्व बखूबी निभाया।
He fulfilled his responsibility very well.
Use of adverb 'बखूबी'.
माँ-बाप का दायित्व निभाना ज़रूरी है।
It is important to fulfill the responsibility of parents.
Genitive 'का' with the noun.
एक नागरिक के रूप में हमें अपना दायित्व निभाना होगा।
As a citizen, we will have to fulfill our responsibility.
Use of 'होगा' for future necessity.
वह दफ्तर में अपना दायित्व ईमानदारी से निभाता है।
He fulfills his responsibility in the office honestly.
Adverb 'ईमानदारी से'.
यदि आप अपना दायित्व निभाएंगे, तो सब खुश रहेंगे।
If you fulfill your responsibility, everyone will be happy.
Conditional sentence 'यदि... तो'.
हमें पर्यावरण के प्रति अपना दायित्व निभाना चाहिए।
We should fulfill our responsibility towards the environment.
Postposition 'के प्रति' (towards).
उसने कठिन समय में भी अपना दायित्व निभाया।
He fulfilled his responsibility even in difficult times.
Conjunction 'भी' for emphasis.
सफलता के लिए दायित्व निभाना आवश्यक है।
Fulfilling responsibility is necessary for success.
Use of 'के लिए' (for).
क्या सरकार अपना दायित्व निभा रही है?
Is the government fulfilling its responsibility?
Present continuous interrogative.
मैंने अपना सामाजिक दायित्व निभाने का फैसला किया है।
I have decided to fulfill my social responsibility.
Present perfect with 'फैसला किया है'.
बिना किसी स्वार्थ के दायित्व निभाना ही सच्ची सेवा है।
Fulfilling responsibility without any selfishness is true service.
Abstract noun phrase.
कंपनियों को अपना कॉर्पोरेट सामाजिक दायित्व निभाना पड़ता है।
Companies have to fulfill their corporate social responsibility.
Use of 'पड़ता है' for external compulsion.
अपना दायित्व निभाते हुए उन्होंने कई बाधाओं का सामना किया।
While fulfilling their responsibility, they faced many obstacles.
Participle 'निभाते हुए' (while fulfilling).
नेतृत्व का अर्थ है दूसरों को अपना दायित्व निभाने के लिए प्रेरित करना।
Leadership means inspiring others to fulfill their responsibility.
Causative logic in a complex sentence.
यदि प्रत्येक व्यक्ति अपना दायित्व निभाए, तो समाज बदल सकता है।
If every individual fulfills their responsibility, society can change.
Subjunctive mood 'निभाए'.
वह अपने पारिवारिक दायित्वों को निभाने में व्यस्त है।
He is busy fulfilling his family responsibilities.
Plural 'दायित्वों' in oblique case.
न्यायाधीश ने अपना दायित्व निष्पक्षता से निभाया।
The judge fulfilled his responsibility with impartiality.
Noun 'निष्पक्षता' (impartiality) used as an adverbial phrase.
दायित्व निभाने की क्षमता ही व्यक्ति को महान बनाती है।
The ability to fulfill responsibility is what makes a person great.
Complex subject with 'की क्षमता'.
संवैधानिक दायित्व निभाना किसी भी लोकतांत्रिक संस्था के लिए अनिवार्य है।
Fulfilling constitutional responsibility is mandatory for any democratic institution.
High-register vocabulary (संवैधानिक, अनिवार्य).
लेखक ने अपनी रचनाओं के माध्यम से सामाजिक दायित्व निभाया है।
The author has fulfilled a social responsibility through his works.
Use of 'के माध्यम से' (through).
अपने दायित्व का निर्वहन करते समय हमें नैतिक मूल्यों को नहीं भूलना चाहिए।
While discharging our responsibility, we should not forget moral values.
Synonym 'निर्वहन' used with 'दायित्व'.
युद्ध के दौरान सैनिकों ने अपना दायित्व अद्वितीय साहस के साथ निभाया।
During the war, soldiers fulfilled their responsibility with unique courage.
Adverbial phrase 'अद्वितीय साहस के साथ'.
दायित्व निभाने से विमुख होना कायरता का लक्षण है।
Turning away from fulfilling responsibility is a sign of cowardice.
Use of 'से विमुख होना' (to turn away from).
वैज्ञानिकों का दायित्व निभाना मानवता के भविष्य के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है।
Scientists fulfilling their responsibility is important for the future of humanity.
Possessive phrase as a subject.
उन्होंने अपने पद की गरिमा और दायित्व को पूरी निष्ठा से निभाया।
He fulfilled the dignity and responsibility of his post with full integrity.
Compound object 'गरिमा और दायित्व'.
क्या हम आने वाली पीढ़ियों के प्रति अपना दायित्व निभा रहे हैं?
Are we fulfilling our responsibility towards future generations?
Rhetorical question in continuous tense.
दायित्व निभाने की यह अटूट परंपरा सदियों से चली आ रही है।
This unbreakable tradition of fulfilling responsibility has been going on for centuries.
Perfect continuous sense with 'चली आ रही है'.
दार्शनिक दृष्टिकोण से, दायित्व निभाना ही अस्तित्व की सार्थकता है।
From a philosophical perspective, fulfilling responsibility is the meaningfulness of existence.
Abstract philosophical construction.
प्रशासनिक अधिकारियों को बिना किसी दबाव के अपना दायित्व निभाना चाहिए।
Administrative officers should fulfill their responsibility without any pressure.
Technical term 'प्रशासनिक अधिकारी'.
इतिहास गवाह है कि जिन्होंने अपना दायित्व निभाया, वे अमर हो गए।
History is witness that those who fulfilled their responsibility became immortal.
Complex relative clause 'जिन्होंने... वे'.
नैतिक द्वंद्व के बीच भी अपना दायित्व निभाना ही सच्ची वीरता है।
Fulfilling one's responsibility even amidst moral conflict is true heroism.
Use of 'के बीच' (amidst).
साहित्यकार का दायित्व केवल मनोरंजन नहीं, अपितु समाज को आईना दिखाना है।
The responsibility of a writer is not just entertainment, but to show a mirror to society.
Use of 'अपितु' (but rather).
वैश्विक मंच पर भारत अपना दायित्व बखूबी निभा रहा है।
India is fulfilling its responsibility excellently on the global stage.
Geopolitical context.
दायित्व निभाने की प्रक्रिया में आत्म-बलिदान की भावना निहित होती है।
The spirit of self-sacrifice is inherent in the process of fulfilling responsibility.
Passive/State-of-being with 'निहित होती है'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To wash one's hands of a responsibility; to avoid it.
वह अपने दायित्व से पल्ला झाड़ रहा है।
— The burden of responsibility; feeling the weight of duty.
मुझ पर दायित्व का बहुत बोझ है।
— To entrust or hand over a responsibility to someone else.
मैनेजर ने मुझे नया दायित्व सौंपा।
— To accept or acknowledge a responsibility.
उसने अपनी गलती का दायित्व स्वीकार किया।
— The formal process of discharging responsibilities.
दायित्वों का निर्वाह करना आवश्यक है।
— Respective responsibilities of different people.
सबको अपना-अपना दायित्व निभाना चाहिए।
— The responsibility that comes with a specific position/rank.
प्रधानमंत्री के पद का दायित्व बहुत बड़ा है।
Idioms & Expressions
— To have responsibility on one's shoulders.
मेरे कंधों पर पूरे परिवार का दायित्व है।
Common— To show one's back; to run away from duty.
मुश्किल समय में उसने दायित्व को पीठ दिखा दी।
Metaphorical— To sweat; to work very hard to fulfill a duty.
उसने अपना दायित्व निभाने के लिए पसीना बहाया।
Informal— To risk one's life to fulfill a duty.
सैनिक ने दायित्व निभाने के लिए जान की बाजी लगा दी।
Literary/Dramatic— To not let any harm come; to protect a responsibility perfectly.
उसने अपने दायित्व पर आंच नहीं आने दी।
Common— To pull back one's hands; to withdraw from a responsibility.
संकट के समय उसने दायित्व से हाथ पीछे खींच लिए।
Common— To chew iron chickpeas; to face extreme difficulty in fulfilling a duty.
इस दायित्व को निभाना लोहे के चने चबाने जैसा है।
Informal— A necklace for the neck; something very dear, often used for a cherished responsibility.
यह दायित्व मेरे लिए गले का हार है।
Poetic— A line on stone; a commitment to a duty that cannot be erased.
मेरा दायित्व निभाना पत्थर की लकीर है।
Common— To close one's eyes; to ignore a responsibility.
प्रशासन ने अपने दायित्व से आंखें मूंद ली हैं।
CommonWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Summary
The phrase 'दायित्व निभाना' is the gold standard for expressing the fulfillment of serious duties in Hindi. For example, 'सैनिक अपना दायित्व निभाते हैं' (Soldiers fulfill their responsibility) shows how it elevates a simple action to a noble commitment.
- A formal Hindi phrase meaning 'to fulfill responsibility,' often used in professional, social, or moral contexts to show commitment.
- Combines the noun 'Dāyitva' (duty) with the verb 'Nibhānā' (to sustain/fulfill), emphasizing consistency and integrity in action.
- Commonly heard in news, formal speeches, and literature, it distinguishes a serious obligation from a simple task or chore.
- Requires proper gender agreement (Dāyitva is masculine) and is a key marker of B1-level proficiency in Hindi communication.
Example
माता-पिता का दायित्व निभाना आसान नहीं है।
Related Content
Related Phrases
More family words
आबाद
B1Inhabited, prosperous; populated and flourishing.
आँचल
B1Corner of a sari (symbol of mother's protection).
आचरण
B1The way a person behaves; conduct.
आँगन
A2Courtyard; an unroofed area that is completely or mostly enclosed by the walls of a house.
आंगन
A2An open, uncovered area, often paved, adjacent to a house; a courtyard.
आग्रह करना
B1To request; to insist; to ask earnestly or formally.
आज्ञा
B1An instruction or command; permission.
आज्ञा का पालन करना
B1To obey orders or commands.
आज्ञा मानना
A2To obey; to comply with a command or rule.
आज्ञा पालन करना
B1To obey (command/order).