noblesse oblige
English
Etymology
Borrowed from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase. See noblesse and obliger.
Pronunciation
Noun
- The honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank; in American English this often includes the expectation of benevolent actions such as helping those less fortunate.
Usage notes
- The Oxford English Dictionary says that the term “suggests noble ancestry constrains to honourable behaviour; privilege entails responsibility”. Being a noble meant that one had responsibilities to lead, manage, etc., not simply spending one’s time in idle pursuits.
Translations
the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank
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Dutch
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige.
Phrase
noblesse oblige
- noblesse oblige
- Synonym: adel verplicht
Related terms
Further reading
- noblesse oblige on the Dutch Wikipedia.Wikipedia nl
French
Etymology
Literally, “nobility obliges”. See noblesse and obliger.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /nɔ.blɛ.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/ ~ /nɔ.ble.s‿ɔ.bliʒ/
Audio: (file) - Rhymes: -iʒ
Phrase
- noble or more generally high-ranked people have honourable obligations towards lower-ranked or less fortunate ones, and should behave nobly towards them
Indonesian
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”).
Noun
noblesse oblige (plural noblesse-noblesse oblige)
- noblesse oblige: the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank; this often includes the expectation of benevolent actions such as helping those less fortunate
Further reading
- “noblesse oblige” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation – Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, 2016.
Italian
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /noˈblɛs oˈbliʒ/
Phrase
noblesse oblige
- noble or more generally high-ranked people have honourable/honorable obligations towards lower-ranked or less fortunate ones, and should behave nobly towards them
- Synonym: la nobiltà fa obbligo
Noun
noblesse oblige m (uncountable)
- noblesse oblige (the honourable/honorable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)
Portuguese
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”), primarily used as a phrase.
Noun
noblesse oblige m or f (uncountable)
- noblesse oblige (the honourable obligation that is the responsibility of those of high rank)