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B1 verb #1,200 más común 10 min de lectura

erfüllen

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos erfüllen en 30 segundos

Explicación erfüllen in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'erfüllen' in the context of wishes. Think of it as the 'magic' word. When you have a birthday and you want a present, you have a 'Wunsch' (wish). If your parents buy you that present, they 'erfüllen' your wish. It is a regular verb: ich erfülle, du erfüllst, er/sie/es erfüllt. You might see it in simple stories or cards. For example: 'Ich erfülle dir deinen Wunsch.' (I fulfill your wish for you). At this stage, don't worry about the complex business meanings. Just remember: Wish + Erfüllen = Happy. It is a transitive verb, so it always needs an object (the wish). You can also remember it by the word 'voll' (full). 'Erfüllen' is making something 'full' or complete. If you learn the phrase 'Einen Wunsch erfüllen,' you have already mastered the most important A1 use of this word. Practice saying it when you talk about what you want for Christmas or your birthday. It is a positive, kind word at this level.

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'erfüllen' for simple expectations and tasks. You might hear a teacher say, 'Du hast die Aufgabe erfüllt' (You have fulfilled/completed the task). This means you did what was asked. You also learn the reflexive form: 'sich erfüllen.' This is very common when talking about dreams. 'Mein Traum hat sich erfüllt' (My dream came true). Notice that in German, the dream is the subject, and it 'fulfills itself.' This is different from English where we say 'came true.' You should also start to recognize it in the context of 'Anforderungen' (requirements), even if they are simple ones, like the requirements for a basic language certificate. 'Erfüllst du die Bedingungen für den Kurs?' (Do you meet the conditions for the course?). At A2, you are moving from just 'wishes' to 'tasks and conditions.' You should also be comfortable with the past tense 'erfüllte' and the perfect tense 'hat erfüllt.' Remember that it always takes the Accusative case for the thing being fulfilled.

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At the B1 level, 'erfüllen' becomes a key word for professional and social life. You are expected to use it when discussing job requirements (Anforderungen), duties (Pflichten), and standards (Normen). In a job interview, you might say, 'Ich erfülle alle Voraussetzungen für diese Stelle' (I meet all the requirements for this position). This is much more professional than saying 'Ich habe alles, was man braucht.' You also encounter 'erfüllen' in the sense of 'filling a room' with a sound or smell, which is common in B1-level reading texts. For example, 'Ein süßer Duft erfüllte das Zimmer.' Furthermore, you should understand the nuance between 'erfüllen' and 'ausfüllen' (filling out forms), as this is a common point of confusion in B1 exams. You will also see the adjective 'erfüllt' used to describe a life or a career: 'ein erfülltes Berufsleben' (a fulfilling professional life). This level requires you to use the word accurately in both spoken and written German to describe meeting goals and satisfying criteria in various life situations.

At the B2 level, you use 'erfüllen' in more abstract and formal contexts. You will encounter it in legal texts, such as 'einen Vertrag erfüllen' (to fulfill a contract) or 'gesetzliche Auflagen erfüllen' (to meet legal requirements). You should be able to discuss the 'Nichterfüllung' (non-fulfillment) of agreements and the consequences thereof. In academic or argumentative writing, you might use it to describe whether a theory or a measure 'seinen Zweck erfüllt' (fulfills its purpose). You also learn more sophisticated collocations, like 'jemandem eine Bitte erfüllen' (to grant someone a request) or 'hohe Erwartungen erfüllen.' At this level, you should also be able to use the passive voice: 'Die Kriterien müssen bis morgen erfüllt sein.' You will also notice the word in literary analysis, where a character might be 'von Sehnsucht erfüllt' (filled with longing). The distinction between 'erfüllen' and synonyms like 'entsprechen' (to correspond to) or 'nachkommen' (to comply with) becomes important for stylistic variety in your writing.

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At the C1 level, you master the stylistic nuances of 'erfüllen.' You use it to describe complex emotional states and philosophical concepts. You might analyze how a certain political policy 'die Erwartungen der Wähler nicht erfüllt' (does not meet the voters' expectations) and use 'erfüllen' to discuss the broader concept of 'Selbstverwirklichung' (self-actualization) and leading an 'erfülltes Dasein.' You are comfortable with the verb in all its forms, including the nominalized 'Erfüllung' (fulfillment/realization). You can distinguish between 'die Erfüllung eines Traums' and 'die Erfüllung einer Pflicht.' In high-level discussions, you might use the phrase 'in Erfüllung gehen' as a synonym for 'sich erfüllen,' which is slightly more formal: 'Mögen all deine Wünsche in Erfüllung gehen.' You also recognize the word in technical or scientific contexts, where a condition 'notwendig und hinreichend erfüllt sein muss' (must be necessarily and sufficiently fulfilled). Your usage is precise, and you can use the word to add gravity and depth to your arguments, whether you are talking about personal happiness or international law.

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At the C2 level, 'erfüllen' is a tool for precision and poetic expression. You understand its deep roots in German literature and can use it to evoke specific atmospheres. You might use it in a sentence like, 'Das Schweigen, das den Raum erfüllte, war fast greifbar' (The silence that filled the room was almost tangible). You are aware of the subtle differences between 'erfüllen' and its most obscure synonyms, choosing the word that perfectly fits the register of your discourse. You can use 'erfüllen' in complex metaphorical ways, such as 'eine Rolle mit Leben erfüllen' (to breathe life into a role/character). You also understand the historical and legal weight of 'Erfüllungsgehilfe' (a person used by a debtor to fulfill an obligation). At this level, you don't just use the word; you play with its connotations of completeness, satisfaction, and saturation. Whether you are writing a legal brief, a philosophical essay, or a piece of creative fiction, 'erfüllen' is used with total native-like fluency, capturing both the mundane meeting of requirements and the sublime realization of human potential.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

erfüllen en 30 segundos

Erfüllen means to fulfill, meet, or satisfy abstract things like wishes, dreams, and requirements.
It is a regular verb: erfüllen, erfüllte, hat erfüllt, and it takes the accusative case.
Reflexively, 'sich erfüllen' means 'to come true,' commonly used with dreams and wishes.
It can also describe a space being filled with a sound, smell, or atmosphere.

The German verb erfüllen is a versatile and essential word that every intermediate learner must master. At its core, it translates to 'to fulfill,' 'to meet,' or 'to satisfy.' However, its usage spans from the deeply personal—like fulfilling a lifelong dream—to the strictly professional, such as meeting technical requirements or legal standards. Understanding erfüllen requires looking at it through two primary lenses: the abstract fulfillment of expectations and the physical or metaphorical filling of a space.

Personal Desires: When you finally achieve something you have long wished for, you use erfüllen. It is the standard verb for 'to make a wish come true' (einen Wunsch erfüllen). It carries a sense of completion and satisfaction.

Endlich konnte ich mir den Traum von einer Weltreise erfüllen.

Obligations and Standards: In a more formal or technical context, erfüllen is used when someone or something meets a set of criteria. This could be a job candidate meeting the requirements of a position or a product meeting safety standards.

Beyond these common uses, erfüllen also appears in literary contexts to describe a sound, a smell, or a feeling permeating a room. For example, 'Der Duft von frischem Brot erfüllte die Küche' (The scent of fresh bread filled the kitchen). This usage is more evocative and poetic, suggesting that the space is not just occupied, but completely saturated by the quality described. In everyday German, you will encounter this word most frequently in the context of 'Anforderungen erfüllen' (meeting requirements) and 'Erwartungen erfüllen' (meeting expectations). It is a high-frequency verb in business German, where performance is often measured against pre-defined goals. If you fulfill your duty, you 'erfüllen deine Pflicht.' This connection to duty and honor gives the word a slightly more serious tone than the English 'to fill,' which is why 'to fulfill' is almost always the better translation.

Das neue Gesetz erfüllt seinen Zweck nicht.

Emotional State: Lastly, it can describe an inner state of being. An 'erfülltes Leben' is a fulfilled or meaningful life. Here, the word moves into the realm of philosophy and well-being, describing a state where one's potential and desires are fully realized.

Sie führt ein sehr erfülltes Leben.

Using erfüllen correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the typical nouns it pairs with. As a transitive verb, it requires an accusative object. The most common structure is [Subject] + [erfüllen] + [Object in Accusative]. For example, 'Der Kandidat erfüllt die Bedingungen' (The candidate meets the conditions). In this sentence, 'die Bedingungen' is the direct object receiving the action of the verb.

The Reflexive Construction: A very common variation is the reflexive use: etwas erfüllt sich. This is used when a wish, a dream, or a prophecy comes to fruition on its own. 'Mein Traum hat sich erfüllt' translates to 'My dream has come true.' Note that in English we use 'come true,' but in German, the dream 'fulfills itself.'

Hoffentlich erfüllt sich dein Wunsch bald.

When talking about satisfying someone else's needs or desires, you often use the dative for the person and the accusative for the thing: 'Ich erfülle ihr (Dative) einen Wunsch (Accusative).' This 'jemandem einen Wunsch erfüllen' is a fixed collocation you should memorize. It is much more common than saying 'Ich mache ihren Wunsch wahr,' although both are technically correct.

Filling Physical Spaces: In a more literal sense, 'erfüllen' describes a substance or quality filling a volume. 'Ein lauter Schrei erfüllte die Luft' (A loud scream filled the air). Here, the subject is the thing doing the filling, and the object is the space being filled. This is distinct from 'füllen' (to fill a glass), as 'erfüllen' implies a total, often atmospheric, presence.

Musik erfüllte den ganzen Raum.

In professional contexts, you will frequently see the phrase 'seine Pflicht erfüllen' (to do one's duty). This is a strong, formal expression. Similarly, 'einen Vertrag erfüllen' (to fulfill a contract) is the standard legal terminology. If you fail to do so, you are in 'Nichterfüllung' (non-fulfillment). When practicing, try to pair erfüllen with abstract nouns like Hoffnung, Erwartung, Bedingung, and Aufgabe. This will help you internalize the 'meeting/satisfying' aspect of the verb which is its most common function in modern German.

Grammar Tip: Remember the principal parts: erfüllen (present), erfüllte (past), hat erfüllt (perfect). It is a regular (weak) verb, making it relatively easy to conjugate once you know the stem.

Wir haben alle Anforderungen erfüllt.

You will encounter erfüllen in a wide variety of settings, ranging from the evening news to romantic novels. In the news and business world, it is the go-to word for compliance and performance. When a company reports its quarterly results, they might say they 'die Erwartungen der Analysten erfüllt haben' (met the analysts' expectations). If a country wants to join the EU, it must 'die Kriterien erfüllen' (meet the criteria). This usage is very common in formal reports and journalistic writing.

In Daily Life: In casual conversation, you'll hear it most often regarding wishes and favors. Parents might talk about 'den Kindern jeden Wunsch erfüllen' (fulfilling every wish of the children). Friends might ask, 'Kannst du mir eine Bitte erfüllen?' (Can you grant me a request/favor?). It sounds slightly more formal and sincere than 'machen' or 'tun,' adding a layer of significance to the action.

Könnten Sie mir einen kleinen Gefallen erfüllen?

Literature and storytelling are also rich with this verb. In fairy tales, a genie or a fairy godmother 'erfüllt drei Wünsche.' In modern fiction, characters often struggle with 'Sinnstiftung' (finding meaning) and whether their lives 'sie erfüllen' (fulfill them). If a character is described as being 'von Freude erfüllt' (filled with joy), it indicates a deep, all-encompassing emotion. This passive-like construction (von + Dative + erfüllt sein) is a very common way to describe being overcome by a feeling.

Legal and Official Contexts: When dealing with German bureaucracy, you might hear that a document 'nicht die notwendigen Voraussetzungen erfüllt' (doesn't meet the necessary requirements). This is a standard phrase in rejection letters or official feedback. It's important to recognize this so you don't confuse it with 'ausfüllen' (to fill out a form).

Der Antrag erfüllt leider nicht alle formalen Kriterien.

Finally, in religious or spiritual contexts, erfüllen is used for the fulfillment of prophecies or divine plans. 'Die Prophezeiung hat sich erfüllt' (The prophecy has been fulfilled). This reinforces the word's connection to destiny and the inevitable realization of a predetermined outcome. Whether you are reading a contract, a novel, or a news article, erfüllen will appear whenever there is a gap between a potential state (a wish, a rule, a prophecy) and its actual realization.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with erfüllen is confusing it with other German verbs that translate to 'to fill.' Because English uses 'fill' for everything from filling a glass to filling out a form to fulfilling a dream, learners often default to the wrong German equivalent. The most common confusion is between erfüllen and ausfüllen.

Erfüllen vs. Ausfüllen: Use ausfüllen for forms, questionnaires, or physical spaces that you are literally putting something into (like a hole in the ground). Use erfüllen for abstract things like wishes, requirements, or duties. Saying 'Ich muss das Formular erfüllen' is a classic mistake; it should be 'ausfüllen.'

Falsch: Ich erfülle das Formular.
Richtig: Ich fülle das Formular aus.

Another mistake involves the reflexive usage. English speakers often say 'My wish fulfilled,' forgetting that in German, the wish must fulfill itself (sich erfüllen) or be fulfilled by someone (passively or actively). You cannot simply say 'Mein Wunsch hat erfüllt.' It must be 'Mein Wunsch hat sich erfüllt.' Without the 'sich,' the sentence is grammatically incomplete because the verb is looking for an object to fulfill.

Erfüllen vs. Vollenden: Sometimes learners use erfüllen when they mean 'to complete' a task or a project. While erfüllen implies completion, it specifically means meeting a standard. If you are finishing a piece of work, vollenden or fertigstellen is usually more appropriate. Erfüllen is about the 'what' (the requirements), while vollenden is about the 'end' (the finishing touch).

Er hat seine Aufgabe erfüllt (He met the requirements of the task) vs. Er hat das Werk vollendet (He finished the masterpiece).

Finally, be careful with the preposition 'with.' In English, we fill something 'with' something. In German, when using erfüllen to describe a room being filled with a scent or sound, we use 'mit' + Dative. However, when describing a person being filled with an emotion, we often use 'von' + Dative. For example: 'Er war von Hass erfüllt' (He was filled with hate). Using 'mit' here isn't necessarily wrong, but 'von' is much more idiomatic for deep-seated emotions. Misusing these prepositions can make your German sound 'translated' rather than natural.

German has several verbs that overlap with erfüllen, and choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific context. Understanding these nuances will elevate your German from B1 to B2 and beyond. The most common alternatives are entsprechen, nachkommen, befriedigen, and einhalten.

Entsprechen: This verb means 'to correspond to' or 'to match.' It is often used as a synonym for erfüllen when talking about requirements or expectations. However, entsprechen takes the dative case. 'Das Ergebnis entspricht (Dative) unseren Erwartungen' (The result matches our expectations). While erfüllen is active (the result fulfills the expectations), entsprechen is more about the fit between two things.

Das Produkt entspricht den Sicherheitsnormen.

Nachkommen: Literally 'to come after,' this is used in the sense of 'to comply with' or 'to honor.' It is frequently used with duties, invitations, or requests. 'Einer Bitte nachkommen' (to comply with a request). It sounds slightly more formal and bureaucratic than erfüllen. It also takes the dative case.

Einhalten: This means 'to keep' or 'to adhere to.' It is the best word for deadlines (Termine einhalten) or promises (Versprechen einhalten). While you can 'ein Versprechen erfüllen,' 'einhalten' emphasizes the act of not breaking the promise, whereas 'erfüllen' emphasizes the successful completion of the promised action.

Wir müssen die Frist unbedingt einhalten.

In summary, use erfüllen for wishes, requirements, and filling spaces. Use entsprechen for matching standards (Dative). Use nachkommen for formal compliance (Dative). Use einhalten for deadlines and promises. By choosing the specific verb, you convey a much clearer picture of the situation than by relying on 'erfüllen' for everything.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The prefix 'er-' in German often indicates that an action has reached its goal. So, while 'füllen' is just the act of filling, 'erfüllen' is the successful completion of that filling, which is why it means 'to fulfill' a wish or requirement.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ɛɐ̯ˈfʏlən/

US /ɛrˈfʏlən/

The stress is on the second syllable: er-FÜL-len.

Rima con

hüllen müllen füllen tüllen brüllen knüllen quillen stillen

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'er-' as a strong 'air'. It should be a light, unstressed prefix.
Confusing the 'ü' sound with 'u' or 'i'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Pronouncing the final 'n' too strongly without the schwa.
Missing the double 'l' length (though in German 'll' just indicates a short preceding vowel).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

Common in literature and news, but meanings are usually clear from context.

Escritura 4/5

Requires knowledge of dative/accusative objects and reflexive 'sich'.

Expresión oral 3/5

High-frequency word, essential for professional and personal topics.

Escucha 3/5

Easily recognizable due to the 'er-' prefix and 'fül-' root.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

füllen voll der Wunsch der Traum die Aufgabe

Aprende después

entsprechen nachkommen die Voraussetzung die Erwartung realisieren

Avanzado

die Selbstverwirklichung die Nichterfüllung der Erfüllungsgehilfe vollziehen

Gramática que debes saber

Transitive Verbs

Erfüllen takes a direct object in the accusative case (e.g., den Wunsch).

Reflexive Verbs

Sich erfüllen (to come true) uses the reflexive pronoun 'sich'.

Dative of Interest

Jemandem (Dative) einen Wunsch erfüllen (Accusative).

Passive Voice

Die Bedingungen werden erfüllt (Process) / sind erfüllt (State).

Prefix 'er-'

The prefix 'er-' often indicates the successful completion of an action.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Ich erfülle dir deinen Wunsch.

I fulfill your wish for you.

Direct object 'deinen Wunsch' is in the accusative case.

Er erfüllt den Wunsch.

He fulfills the wish.

Regular present tense conjugation for 'er'.

Kannst du mir einen Wunsch erfüllen?

Can you fulfill a wish for me?

Question structure with modal verb 'können'.

Wir erfüllen alle Wünsche.

We fulfill all wishes.

Plural 'wir' conjugation.

Sie erfüllt ihren Traum.

She fulfills her dream.

Possessive pronoun 'ihren' matches the feminine subject 'sie'.

Der Vater erfüllt dem Kind den Wunsch.

The father fulfills the child's wish.

Indirect object 'dem Kind' is in the dative case.

Erfüllst du mir die Bitte?

Will you grant me the request?

The noun 'Bitte' (request) is a common object for 'erfüllen'.

Ich möchte mir einen Traum erfüllen.

I would like to fulfill a dream for myself.

Reflexive 'mir' (dative) indicates the person for whom the dream is fulfilled.

Mein Traum hat sich erfüllt.

My dream has come true.

Reflexive 'sich erfüllen' means 'to come true'.

Du hast die Aufgabe gut erfüllt.

You fulfilled the task well.

Perfect tense: 'hast' + 'erfüllt'.

Er erfüllt die Bedingungen nicht.

He does not meet the conditions.

Negation with 'nicht' at the end of the clause.

Die Kinder erfüllten ihre Pflichten.

The children fulfilled their duties.

Simple past tense 'erfüllten'.

Hoffentlich erfüllt sich dein Wunsch.

Hopefully your wish will come true.

Subjunctive-like hope expressed with 'hoffentlich'.

Wir müssen die Regeln erfüllen.

We must fulfill the rules.

Modal verb 'müssen' + infinitive 'erfüllen'.

Sie hat sich einen Wunsch erfüllt.

She fulfilled a wish for herself.

Reflexive 'sich' (dative) in the perfect tense.

Das Zimmer war von Licht erfüllt.

The room was filled with light.

Passive-like construction with 'von' + Dative.

Der Bewerber erfüllt alle Voraussetzungen.

The applicant meets all the requirements.

Formal vocabulary: 'Bewerber' and 'Voraussetzungen'.

Das neue Auto erfüllt meine Erwartungen.

The new car meets my expectations.

Common collocation: 'Erwartungen erfüllen'.

Ein herrlicher Duft erfüllte die Küche.

A wonderful scent filled the kitchen.

Literary usage for scents and sounds.

Er führt ein sehr erfülltes Leben.

He leads a very fulfilled life.

Adjective 'erfüllt' used attributively.

Können Sie diese Kriterien erfüllen?

Can you meet these criteria?

Plural noun 'Kriterien' in the accusative.

Das Gesetz erfüllt seinen Zweck.

The law fulfills its purpose.

Abstract usage: 'Zweck erfüllen'.

Sie hat ihre Versprechen immer erfüllt.

She has always fulfilled her promises.

Perfect tense with 'immer' (always).

Die Musik erfüllte das ganze Haus.

The music filled the whole house.

Simple past 'erfüllte'.

Das Unternehmen erfüllt die Umweltstandards.

The company meets the environmental standards.

Compound noun 'Umweltstandards'.

In Erfüllung seiner Pflichten reiste er viel.

In fulfillment of his duties, he traveled a lot.

Prepositional phrase with 'In Erfüllung' + Genitive.

Der Vertrag wurde nicht ordnungsgemäß erfüllt.

The contract was not properly fulfilled.

Passive voice: 'wurde' + 'erfüllt'.

Sie fühlte sich von tiefer Trauer erfüllt.

She felt filled with deep sorrow.

Reflexive 'sich fühlen' + 'von' + Dative.

Diese Maßnahme erfüllt nicht die Erwartungen.

This measure does not meet expectations.

Abstract noun 'Maßnahme' (measure).

Er konnte sich endlich seinen Lebenstraum erfüllen.

He was finally able to fulfill his lifelong dream.

Modal verb 'konnte' + reflexive 'sich' + 'erfüllen'.

Die Prophezeiung hat sich nach Jahren erfüllt.

The prophecy came true after years.

Reflexive 'sich' in a historical/literary context.

Wir erfüllen die Anforderungen der Kunden.

We meet the requirements of the customers.

Genitive plural 'der Kunden'.

Das Werk erfüllt höchste ästhetische Ansprüche.

The work meets the highest aesthetic demands.

High-level collocation: 'Ansprüche erfüllen'.

Seine Worte waren von großer Weisheit erfüllt.

His words were filled with great wisdom.

Metaphorical filling of abstract concepts.

Die Erfüllung dieses Plans erfordert Zeit.

The fulfillment of this plan requires time.

Nominalization 'Die Erfüllung'.

Er sah die Notwendigkeit, sein Versprechen zu erfüllen.

He saw the necessity to fulfill his promise.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Die Kriterien für die Beförderung sind erfüllt.

The criteria for the promotion are met.

Statal passive: 'sein' + 'erfüllt'.

Ein tiefes Gefühl der Dankbarkeit erfüllte sie.

A deep feeling of gratitude filled her.

Abstract subject 'Gefühl' acting on the object.

Mögen all deine Hoffnungen in Erfüllung gehen.

May all your hopes come true.

Fixed idiom 'in Erfüllung gehen'.

Der Raum war von einer unheimlichen Stille erfüllt.

The room was filled with an eerie silence.

Atmospheric description using 'von'.

Er erfüllte die Rolle des Hamlet mit Bravour.

He fulfilled the role of Hamlet with brilliance.

Using 'erfüllen' to mean 'to embody' or 'perform'.

Die Bestimmungen des Vertrages sind strikt zu erfüllen.

The provisions of the contract are to be strictly fulfilled.

Gerundive-like 'sein zu' construction expressing obligation.

Sein Dasein war von einer rastlosen Suche erfüllt.

His existence was filled with a restless search.

Philosophical usage of 'Dasein' and 'erfüllt'.

Das Gesetz sieht Sanktionen bei Nichterfüllung vor.

The law provides for sanctions in case of non-fulfillment.

Legal term 'Nichterfüllung'.

Die Sinfonie erfüllte den Konzertsaal bis in den letzten Winkel.

The symphony filled the concert hall to the last corner.

Descriptive, spatial usage of the verb.

Sie hat die Erwartungen nicht nur erfüllt, sondern übertroffen.

She not only met the expectations but exceeded them.

Correlative conjunction 'nicht nur... sondern auch'.

Die Erfüllung der Prophezeiung war unausweichlich.

The fulfillment of the prophecy was inevitable.

Abstract nominalization in a formal context.

Er war ganz von der Idee erfüllt, die Welt zu verbessern.

He was completely filled with the idea of improving the world.

Adverb 'ganz' emphasizing the totality of the state.

Colocaciones comunes

einen Wunsch erfüllen

Anforderungen erfüllen

Erwartungen erfüllen

seine Pflicht erfüllen

Bedingungen erfüllen

einen Traum erfüllen

Kriterien erfüllen

einen Zweck erfüllen

ein Versprechen erfüllen

den Raum erfüllen

Frases Comunes

in Erfüllung gehen

— To come true. Used for wishes, dreams, or hopes.

Mögen deine Träume in Erfüllung gehen!

jemandem einen Wunsch von den Augen ablesen

— To anticipate someone's every wish before they even say it. Often followed by 'und erfüllen'.

Er liest ihr jeden Wunsch von den Augen ab.

seine Schuldigkeit erfüllen

— To do one's bit or do what is expected of one.

Ich habe meine Schuldigkeit erfüllt.

eine Mission erfüllen

— To complete a mission or a specific task.

Die Agenten haben ihre Mission erfüllt.

Voraussetzungen erfüllen

— To meet the prerequisites or requirements.

Er erfüllt alle Voraussetzungen für das Studium.

Standards erfüllen

— To meet the set standards.

Das Hotel erfüllt die höchsten Standards.

eine Quote erfüllen

— To meet a quota.

Die Firma muss die Frauenquote erfüllen.

ein Soll erfüllen

— To meet a target or a required amount of work.

Er hat sein Soll für heute bereits erfüllt.

eine Funktion erfüllen

— To serve a function.

Dieses Gebäude erfüllt heute eine andere Funktion.

von Stolz erfüllt sein

— To be filled with pride.

Sie war von Stolz erfüllt, als sie den Preis gewann.

Se confunde a menudo con

erfüllen vs ausfüllen

Used for forms or physical holes. Erfüllen is for abstract things.

erfüllen vs vollenden

Means to finish/complete a work. Erfüllen is to meet a standard.

erfüllen vs befriedigen

Means to satisfy a physical need or hunger. Erfüllen is more formal/abstract.

Modismos y expresiones

"in Erfüllung gehen"

— To become a reality; to come true.

Mein größter Wunsch ist endlich in Erfüllung gegangen.

neutral

"seine Pflicht und Schuldigkeit erfüllen"

— To do what is required by duty and social expectation.

Er hat lediglich seine Pflicht und Schuldigkeit erfüllt.

formal

"jemandem jeden Wunsch erfüllen"

— To cater to someone's every whim.

Die Großeltern erfüllen den Enkeln jeden Wunsch.

informal

"von etwas erfüllt sein"

— To be completely consumed or permeated by a feeling or idea.

Er war ganz von seiner Arbeit erfüllt.

literary

"den Tatbestand erfüllen"

— To meet the legal definition of a crime or offense.

Diese Handlung erfüllt den Tatbestand des Diebstahls.

legal

"eine Lücke erfüllen"

— To fill a gap (often used metaphorically for a market or a need). Note: 'schließen' is more common, but 'erfüllen' is used for the function.

Dieses Produkt erfüllt eine Marktlücke.

business

"das Maß erfüllen"

— To reach the limit (often used when someone's patience is exhausted).

Jetzt ist das Maß erfüllt!

idiomatic

"ein erfülltes Leben führen"

— To live a life that feels complete and meaningful.

Trotz aller Schwierigkeiten führte sie ein erfülltes Leben.

neutral

"seinen Zweck erfüllen"

— To do what it is supposed to do.

Die alte Heizung erfüllt noch ihren Zweck.

neutral

"die Erwartungen nicht erfüllen"

— To fall short of what was expected.

Der neue Mitarbeiter konnte die Erwartungen leider nicht erfüllen.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

erfüllen vs ausfüllen

Both translate to 'fill' in English.

Ausfüllen is for filling out forms or filling a container. Erfüllen is for fulfilling dreams, wishes, or requirements.

Ich fülle das Formular aus, um mir einen Wunsch zu erfüllen.

erfüllen vs entsprechen

Both mean 'to meet' or 'to match' standards.

Entsprechen takes the dative case and implies a match. Erfüllen is transitive (accusative) and implies active satisfaction of a rule.

Das Haus entspricht meinen Vorstellungen und erfüllt alle Bedingungen.

erfüllen vs einhalten

Both can be used for promises.

Einhalten emphasizes the adherence to a rule or deadline. Erfüllen emphasizes the completion of the promised content.

Er hat den Termin eingehalten und das Versprechen erfüllt.

erfüllen vs nachkommen

Both mean 'to comply'.

Nachkommen is more formal and used for requests or invitations (Dative). Erfüllen is broader.

Ich komme Ihrer Einladung nach und erfülle damit meine Zusage.

erfüllen vs füllen

Root word.

Füllen is the basic physical act of filling. Erfüllen is the abstract or total atmospheric filling.

Ich fülle das Glas, während Musik den Raum erfüllt.

Patrones de oraciones

Ich erfülle [Wunsch].

Ich erfülle deinen Wunsch.

[Traum] hat sich erfüllt.

Mein Traum hat sich erfüllt.

Er erfüllt [Anforderungen].

Er erfüllt alle Anforderungen.

[Duft/Klang] erfüllt [Raum].

Musik erfüllte den Raum.

Von [Gefühl] erfüllt sein.

Sie war von Freude erfüllt.

[Maßnahme] erfüllt [Zweck].

Die Maßnahme erfüllt ihren Zweck.

In Erfüllung [Genitive]...

In Erfüllung seiner Pflichten...

[Subjekt] geht in Erfüllung.

Die Prophezeiung geht endlich in Erfüllung.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

die Erfüllung (fulfillment)

die Nichterfüllung (non-fulfillment)

der Erfüllungsort (place of performance/fulfillment)

der Erfüllungsgehilfe (assistant in performance)

Verbos

füllen (to fill)

ausfüllen (to fill out)

nachfüllen (to refill)

überfüllen (to overfill)

Adjetivos

erfüllt (fulfilled)

unerfüllt (unfulfilled)

erfüllbar (fulfillable)

unerfüllbar (unfulfillable)

Relacionado

voll (full)

völlig (completely)

die Fülle (abundance)

vollenden (to complete)

die Vollendung (completion)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

High (Top 1000 words)

Errores comunes

Ich erfülle das Formular. → Ich fülle das Formular aus.
Erfüllen is for abstract goals; ausfüllen is for forms.
Mein Traum hat erfüllt. → Mein Traum hat sich erfüllt.
The verb must be reflexive when a dream 'comes true'.
Ich erfülle die Anforderungen mit dem Job. → Ich erfülle die Anforderungen für den Job.
Use the preposition 'für' (for) to specify what the requirements are for.
Der Raum ist mit Musik erfüllt. → Der Raum ist von Musik erfüllt.
While 'mit' is understandable, 'von' is more idiomatic for being permeated by something.
Er erfüllt seine Versprechen nicht. → Er hält seine Versprechen nicht ein. (or: Er erfüllt seine Versprechen nicht.)
While 'erfüllen' is possible, 'einhalten' is more common for keeping promises.

Consejos

Accusative Object

Always remember that 'erfüllen' needs an object. You can't just say 'Ich erfülle.' You must fulfill *something* (e.g., einen Wunsch).

Wish Fulfillment

Memorize the phrase 'jemandem einen Wunsch erfüllen.' It's the most common way to talk about doing something nice for someone.

Dreams Coming True

Use 'sich erfüllen' for dreams. 'Mein Traum hat sich erfüllt' is the perfect way to share good news.

Job Requirements

In your CV or interview, use 'Ich erfülle die Anforderungen.' It sounds very professional and confident.

Forms vs. Dreams

Never use 'erfüllen' for forms. Use 'ausfüllen.' Think: Forms are 'out' (aus), dreams are 'full' (er-).

Poetic Touch

Use 'erfüllen' to describe a room filled with music or light to make your descriptions more vivid.

Contracts

In legal contexts, 'erfüllen' is the standard word for performing your part of a contract.

Inner State

To say you are filled with an emotion, use 'von ... erfüllt sein' (e.g., von Freude erfüllt).

Purpose

Use 'seinen Zweck erfüllen' to say that something is doing its job or serving its purpose.

Variation

Instead of always using 'machen,' use 'erfüllen' for abstract goals to improve your German style.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'erfüllen' as 'Full-filling' a destiny. The 'er-' is like 'earn'—you've earned the completion of the 'full' state.

Asociación visual

Imagine a glass being filled to the very brim until it is 'full-filled'. Or imagine a checklist where every box is finally checked off.

Word Web

Wunsch Traum Anforderung Pflicht Bedingung Erwartung Duft Musik

Desafío

Try to write three sentences: one about a wish, one about a job requirement, and one about a smell filling a room.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Middle High German 'ervüllen' and Old High German 'irfyllen'. It is a combination of the prefix 'er-' (denoting the beginning or completion of an action) and the verb 'füllen' (to fill).

Significado original: To make full, to fill up completely.

Germanic

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but 'erfüllen' is a formal and positive word in most contexts.

English speakers often use 'meet' for requirements and 'come true' for wishes. German uses 'erfüllen' for both, showing a unified concept of reaching a goal.

Goethe's 'Faust' often deals with the fulfillment of desires and the soul's satisfaction. The German version of 'Aladdin' uses 'erfüllen' for the three wishes. Schiller's 'Ode to Joy' (An die Freude) touches on being filled with divine joy.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Job Application

Ich erfülle das Profil.
Anforderungen erfüllen.
Voraussetzungen erfüllen.
Erwartungen übertreffen.

Personal Life

Sich einen Wunsch erfüllen.
Einen Traum erfüllen.
Ein erfülltes Leben.
Jemandem eine Bitte erfüllen.

Legal/Business

Den Vertrag erfüllen.
Bedingungen erfüllen.
Bei Nichterfüllung.
Die Quote erfüllen.

Atmosphere/Senses

Den Raum erfüllen.
Von Musik erfüllt sein.
Vom Duft erfüllt sein.
Die Luft erfüllen.

Feelings

Von Freude erfüllt.
Von Sorge erfüllt.
Von Hoffnung erfüllt.
Ein erfüllendes Hobby.

Inicios de conversación

"Welchen Traum möchtest du dir in deinem Leben noch erfüllen?"

"Glaubst du, dass Geld allein ein Leben erfüllen kann?"

"Welche Kriterien muss ein guter Freund für dich erfüllen?"

"Hat sich bei dir schon einmal ein großer Wunsch ganz unerwartet erfüllt?"

"Was erfüllt dich mehr: deine Arbeit oder deine Freizeit?"

Temas para diario

Schreibe über einen Moment, in dem sich ein lang gehegter Traum von dir erfüllt hat.

Welche beruflichen Anforderungen möchtest du in den nächsten fünf Jahren erfüllen?

Beschreibe ein 'erfülltes Leben'. Was gehört für dich unbedingt dazu?

Gibt es eine Pflicht, die du nur ungern erfüllst? Warum ist das so?

Wie fühlst du dich, wenn du die Erwartungen anderer Menschen erfüllst (oder nicht erfüllst)?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, for a physical container like a glass, you should use 'füllen' or 'vollmachen'. 'Erfüllen' is reserved for abstract things like wishes or atmospheric things like scents.

They mean the same thing ('to come true'). 'In Erfüllung gehen' is slightly more formal and common in written German or festive speeches, while 'sich erfüllen' is common in everyday speech.

Yes, as a transitive verb, it takes a direct object in the accusative case. For example: 'Ich erfülle den (Accusative) Wunsch.'

Not directly. You don't 'erfüllen' a person. You 'befriedigen' a person or 'erfüllen' their wishes. However, you can say 'Die Arbeit erfüllt mich,' meaning the work gives you a sense of fulfillment.

The most common way is 'die Anforderungen erfüllen' or 'die Voraussetzungen erfüllen'.

It is a weak (regular) verb. Its forms are: erfüllen, erfüllte, hat erfüllt.

It is a legal term meaning 'non-performance' or 'non-fulfillment,' usually referring to a contract or a duty.

It's better to use 'einhalten' for deadlines (Termine einhalten). 'Erfüllen' is used for the requirements within that deadline.

It means a 'fulfilled life'—a life that feels complete, meaningful, and satisfying.

Yes, it is very common in literature: 'Ein Duft erfüllte den Raum' (A scent filled the room).

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