The adjective onerous comes from the Latin onerosus and can be considered a cultism. It indicates that something is annoying and represents a burden in some sense (the situation of the patient is an onerous burden for his family). In a second acceptance, it means that something is very expensive and is usually said in an economic sense (for example, horse riding is an expensive sport).
In general, an activity is considered onerous when it involves a sacrifice, which can be of an economic nature or in relation to the inconvenience associated with said activity.
In common language, other adjectives are used as synonyms (heavy, annoying or cumbersome). The following could be mentioned as antonyms: bearable, bearable or admissible.
Onerous in the field of law
When in a contract the parties involved have advantages and obligations in equal parts, we speak of an onerous contract and this means that there is a reciprocity in the agreement reached. Thus, bilateral contracts are by definition onerous. Consider a home insurance contract, in which the policyholder is obliged to pay a premium and, at the same time, the insurance company assumes the risk of paying compensation if there is a claim.
In the sphere of civil law there is also talk of the act for consideration, in which the affected parties seek to obtain some type of advantage and there is a mutual consideration. This qualification is opposed to another: the act of gratuitous title, in which there is no reciprocity (for example, in the document of an inheritance). In this way, legal acts related to an economic activity can be divided into onerous and free.
Onerous cause: donations between people
There is also the concept of onerous cause and it applies, for example, in cases where there is a donation between people. Normally the onerous cause occurs within a marital relationship, in property transfers or for a child to study (it is convenient that in these circumstances there is a contract or public deed that reflects the agreement).
The idea of the onerous cause in a donation is that the donation will be effective as long as the beneficiary party complies with the agreed obligation. In simple terms, someone donates something (for example, an amount of money) but wants to receive something in return. In any case, in the onerous cause of a donation, the reason for which the donation is made must be specified, that is, what it is intended for.
