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.
to meet
To satisfy the requirements, conditions, or criteria of something.
Leider erfüllt Ihre Bewerbung nicht die formalen Kriterien.
Unfortunately, your application does not meet the formal criteria.
to come true
When a prediction, hope, or wish becomes true without a person actively making it happen.
Die Prophezeiung des Orakels hat sich am Ende erfüllt.
The oracle's prophecy came true in the end.
to fill
To completely fill a room or a person with a feeling, sound, or atmosphere.
Der Duft von frisch gebackenem Kuchen erfüllte die ganze Küche.
The smell of freshly baked cake filled the whole kitchen.
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 reach
Erreichen and erfüllen can both express a successful outcome. Erreichen typically refers to a goal or state, while erfüllen makes a wish, demand, or expectation become reality. Therefore, ask whether the focus is on the goal itself or on an expectation or wish.
Nach intensiver Vorbereitung erfüllte die Mannschaft die Erwartungen ihrer Fans.
After intensive preparation, the team met its fans' expectations.
Nach intensiver Vorbereitung erreichte die Mannschaft ihr Ziel und gewann das Spiel.
After intensive preparation, the team achieved its goal and won the game.
