Translation guide
The English verb 'fulfill' covers several related ideas: carrying out a duty or promise, satisfying a condition or requirement, and achieving a personal dream or potential. Japanese uses different expressions for each of these meanings. This guide helps you choose the right one.
To do what is expected, required, or promised, such as fulfilling an obligation, a role, or a vow.
The most direct and common verb for fulfilling a duty, role, promise, or responsibility. Often used with nouns like 役割 (role), 責任 (responsibility), 約束 (promise).
彼は約束を果たした。
He fulfilled his promise.
自分の責任を果たすことが大切だ。
It's important to fulfill your responsibilities.
Specifically for fulfilling a role or duty. 役目 means 'role' or 'duty'.
彼は父親としての役目を果たした。
He fulfilled his role as a father.
Formal, often used in business or official contexts for carrying out a task, plan, or mission.
計画を遂行するために全力を尽くします。
We will do our utmost to fulfill the plan.
To meet a standard, condition, or requirement, or to satisfy a need or desire.
The standard verb for satisfying conditions, requirements, needs, or desires. Used with nouns like 条件 (condition), 要件 (requirement), 希望 (hope/wish).
この条件を満たせば、申し込めます。
If you fulfill these conditions, you can apply.
彼の希望を満たすのは難しい。
It's difficult to fulfill his wishes.
Formal, often used in legal or business contexts for satisfying requirements or needs.
要件を充足していることを確認してください。
Please confirm that the requirements are fulfilled.
To realize a personal goal, dream, or one's full potential.
The most common way to say 'fulfill a dream'. 叶える means 'to make come true'.
彼女はついに夢を叶えた。
She finally fulfilled her dream.
For fulfilling a goal or objective. 達成する means 'to achieve'.
彼は人生の目標を達成した。
He fulfilled his life's goal.
Refers to self-fulfillment or self-actualization, often used in psychological or motivational contexts.
仕事を通じて自己実現をしたい。
I want to fulfill myself through my work.
To complete a customer's order or request, as in business or service contexts.
Means to accept and fulfill an order. 応じる implies responding to a request.
その店は大量注文に応じることができる。
The store can fulfill large orders.
Formal way to say 'fulfill a request'. 依頼 means 'request'.
クライアントの依頼を遂行しました。
We fulfilled the client's request.
果たす is for duties, promises, and roles (things you do). 満たす is for conditions, requirements, and needs (things you satisfy). Using the wrong one can sound unnatural.
English 'fulfill a dream' is not translated as 夢を満たす or 夢を果たす. The natural expression is 夢を叶える (make a dream come true).