Translation guide
Expresses that a wish, dream, hope, or goal has been realized or satisfied. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being fulfilled.
To say that a personal desire or aspiration has been realized.
The most common and natural way to say a wish or dream comes true. 叶う is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be granted/realized'.
長年の夢が叶いました。
My long-held dream has come true.
Her wish was fulfilled, and she got to study abroad.
Means 'to be realized/actualized'. Used for plans, goals, or abstract ideas becoming reality. More formal than 叶う.
彼の計画はついに実現した。
His plan was finally realized.
Specifically for dreams being realized. Slightly more formal than 夢が叶う.
子供の頃からの夢が実現しました。
My childhood dream has been fulfilled.
To express a sense of personal satisfaction or emotional fulfillment.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be filled/satisfied'. Used for emotional or spiritual fulfillment, not for wishes coming true.
この仕事をしていると心が満たされる。
Doing this work makes me feel fulfilled.
彼女と一緒にいると、満たされた気持ちになる。
When I'm with her, I feel fulfilled.
Noun meaning 'sense of fulfillment'. Often used with 感じる or 得る.
Means 'to be satisfied/content'. Often used for material or situational satisfaction, but can also imply emotional fulfillment.
今の生活に満足しています。
I am satisfied with my current life.
To say that an obligation or condition has been satisfied.
Transitive verb 満たす means 'to fulfill/satisfy'. Used for conditions, requirements, criteria. The passive form 条件が満たされる is also common.
応募条件を満たしていますか？
Do you meet the application requirements?
必要な条件がすべて満たされた。
All necessary conditions were fulfilled.
Means 'to fulfill a promise'. 果たす is a transitive verb meaning 'to accomplish/fulfill'. The passive 約束が果たされる is also used.
彼は約束を果たした。
He fulfilled his promise.
To say that a prophecy or prediction has been realized.
当たる means 'to be correct/come true' for predictions. More casual than 的中する.
彼の予言が当たった。
His prophecy came true.
Means 'to hit the mark/come true'. Used for predictions, forecasts. Slightly formal.
天気予報が的中した。
The weather forecast was accurate.
叶う is for personal wishes and dreams. 実現する is for plans, goals, or abstract ideas becoming reality, often in formal contexts. 満たされる is for emotional or spiritual fulfillment, not for wishes coming true.
English 'be fulfilled' covers many nuances. Using a single Japanese word for all contexts will sound unnatural. Choose the expression based on what is being fulfilled.
毎日充実感を感じています。
I feel a sense of fulfillment every day.