to fulfill
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to fulfill
To make something that is desired, required, or expected become reality or to carry it out.
Sie hat hart gearbeitet, um sich ihren Traum vom eigenen Haus zu erfüllen.
She worked hard to fulfill her dream of owning her own house.
The verb consists of the inseparable prefix 'er-' and the verb 'füllen' (to fill). The prefix 'er-' often suggests reaching a goal or result. So 'erfüllen' means bringing something to completion or making it a reality.
Nach langer Arbeit hat er sein Ziel endlich erfüllt.
After a long period of work, he finally fulfilled his goal.
There are two reflexive patterns: 'sich (Dativ) etwas erfüllen' means that a person actively realizes their own wish. 'Etwas erfüllt sich' means that a wish or prophecy comes true by itself.
Ich habe mir mit dieser Reise einen großen Traum erfüllt.
With this trip, I fulfilled a big dream of mine.
In this meaning, 'erfüllen' is often combined with positive, personal goals. Typical nouns are 'einen Wunsch erfüllen' (to fulfill a wish), 'einen Traum erfüllen' (to fulfill a dream), or 'eine Bitte erfüllen' (to fulfill a request).
Zum Geburtstag erfüllten die Eltern ihrem Sohn den Wunsch nach einem Hund.
For his birthday, the parents fulfilled their son's wish for a dog.
When formal requirements are involved, 'erfüllen' is used with neutral nouns. Common combinations are 'die Anforderungen erfüllen' (to meet the requirements), 'die Bedingungen erfüllen' (to meet the conditions), or 'die Kriterien erfüllen' (to meet the criteria).
Der Kandidat erfüllt alle notwendigen Voraussetzungen für die Stelle.
The candidate meets all the necessary requirements for the position.
In this meaning, a sound, smell, or feeling is often the subject of the sentence. The structure is: [feeling/sound] fills [the room/the person].
Lachen erfüllte den Raum.
Laughter filled the room.
to correspond / to meet
'entsprechen' and 'erfüllen' can both be used when something fits a rule, expectation, or requirement. 'entsprechen' sounds more like a comparison: something matches a specification or fits it. 'erfüllen' emphasizes more strongly that a demand, condition, or wish is actually achieved or carried out. That is why you can often say that something 'den Anforderungen entspricht' (meets the requirements) or 'die Anforderungen erfüllt' (fulfills the requirements). They can be confused because both can be used with requirements. As a simple guide: 'entsprechen' means more like 'to fit / correspond to', while 'erfüllen' means more like 'to perform or make true'.
Der Bewerber erfüllt alle wichtigen Anforderungen für die Stelle.
The applicant meets all the important requirements for the position.
Die neue Wohnung entspricht genau unseren Vorstellungen.
The new apartment corresponds exactly to our ideas.