genügen
to suffice
To be present in a sufficient quantity or number; to be enough.
EXAMPLE
Für das Rezept genügt ein halber Liter Milch.
Half a liter of milk is enough for the recipe.
genügen
to suffice
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Meanings
genügen
to meet
To meet certain requirements, expectations, or demands.
EXAMPLE
Die vorgelegten Unterlagen genügten den formalen Anforderungen nicht.
The submitted documents did not meet the formal requirements.
sich genügen
to be self-sufficient
To be self-sufficient; to not need other people or things in order to be content.
EXAMPLE
Als Künstler war er ein Einzelgänger, der sich vollkommen selbst genügte.
As an artist, he was a loner who was completely self-sufficient.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'genügen' (to suffice) is directly related to the adverb 'genug' (enough). Both express the idea of 'sufficient' or 'adequate'. If something genügt (suffices), you have enough of it.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe genug Geld dabei, das sollte für den Einkauf genügen.
I have enough money with me; that should suffice for the shopping.
Dative construction
When a person is mentioned for whom something is sufficient, that person is in the dative. The subject of the sentence is the thing that is sufficient.
EXAMPLE
Deine Erklärung genügt mir nicht.
Your explanation isn't enough for me.
Sentence structure with 'es'
'Genügen' is very often used in the impersonal form 'es genügt' (it is enough), often followed by a subordinate clause with 'wenn' (if/when) or an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to).
EXAMPLE
Es genügt, wenn Sie das Formular bis morgen abgeben.
It is enough if you submit the form by tomorrow.
Meeting requirements
In the meaning of 'Anforderungen erfüllen' (to meet requirements), the requirement that is being met is also in the dative. Typical phrases are 'den Ansprüchen genügen' (to meet the demands/expectations) or 'den Kriterien genügen' (to meet the criteria).
EXAMPLE
Sein Zeugnis genügte den Anforderungen der Universität.
His certificate met the university's requirements.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich genügen' or 'sich selbst genügen' means that someone is content on their own and does not need company or outside help. The reflexive pronoun is in the dative here.
EXAMPLE
Er war ein Künstler, der sich und seiner Arbeit vollkommen genügte.
He was an artist who was completely sufficient unto himself and his work.
Compare with
genügen vs reichen
to hand / to suffice
Reichen and genügen can both express that an amount is sufficient. Reichen usually sounds more natural in everyday speech, whereas genügen sounds somewhat more formal and is often used in factual statements. Here, the difference is mainly one of style, not quantity.
genügen
Nach unserer Berechnung genügen zehn Liter Farbe für das Zimmer.
According to our calculations, ten liters of paint are sufficient for the room.
reichen
Zehn Liter Farbe reichen für das Zimmer.
Ten liters of paint are enough for the room.
In real life
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