primary duty

[ˈpraɪ.mer.i ˈdu.ti]
nounpl: primary duties
dever principal
1. The main or most important responsibility or obligation that someone must fulfill
A parent's primary duty is to care for their children.
O dever principal de um pai é cuidar de seus filhos.
2. In legal or professional contexts, the foremost obligation that takes precedence over other duties
The doctor's primary duty is to do no harm to the patient.
O dever principal do médico é não causar dano ao paciente.
3. A fundamental responsibility established by law, contract, or professional ethics
The company's primary duty to shareholders is to maximize profits responsibly.
O dever principal da empresa para com os acionistas é maximizar os lucros de forma responsável.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, 'primary duty' is a formal term commonly used in legal documents, professional codes of conduct, and business ethics discussions. In Brazil, it carries significant weight in corporate governance and employee-employer relationships. In the USA, it's particularly important in fiduciary relationships and medical/legal professions.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
main responsibilityprincipal obligationchief dutyprimary responsibilityforemost obligation
Antonyms / Antônimos
secondary dutyminor obligationsupplementary responsibility

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
dever principal
Standard usage in legal, professional, and everyday contexts
Rio de Janeiro
dever principal / obrigação principal
Both terms used interchangeably in business and legal settings
São Paulo
dever principal / responsabilidade primária
Corporate and legal environments prefer these terms
Portugal
dever primordial / obrigação principal
Portuguese prefers 'primordial' in some contexts; both used in formal settings

Related Words

responsibilityobligationaccountabilityliabilityduty of care

Related Idioms & Phrases

to fulfill one's primary duty
bound by primary duty
breach of primary duty
primary duty of care
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