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"Cumplir con" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to carry out", and "cumplir" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to achieve". Learn more about the difference between "cumplir con" and "cumplir" below.
cumplir con(
koom
-
pleer
kohn
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to carry out
La alcaldesa cumplió con las promesas que hizo durante la campaña electoral.The mayor carried out the promises she made in her election campaign.
b. to fulfill (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Penélope cumplió con su sueño infantil de convertirse en actriz.Penelope fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming an actress.
c. to fulfil (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
La ley exige a Justino que cumpla con sus obligaciones como padre hasta que sus hijos sean mayores de edad.The law requires Justino to fulfil his obligations as a father until his children are legally of age.
d. to obey (an order, the law)
El policía solo cumplía con las órdenes de sus superiores.The policeman was just obeying the orders of his superiors.
e. to observe (a rule, the law)
Todos los estudiantes de esta escuela deben cumplir con su reglamento.All the students in this school must observe its rules and regulations.
f. to do (one's duty, one's job)
Eres un soldado. Simplemente cumple con tu deber y no preguntes.You're a soldier. Just do your duty and don't ask.
g. to achieve (a dream)
En la luna de miel, Dora cumplió con su sueño de visitar Europa.Dora achieved her dream of visiting Europe in her honeymoon.
h. to keep (a promise)
El nuevo gobierno cumplió con su promesa y retiró las tropas de los territorios ocupados.The new government kept its promise and withdrew its troops from the occupied territories.
a. to comply with
Toda la comida que producimos en esta fábrica cumple con los requisitos sanitarios.All the food we produce in this factory complies with the health standards.
b. to meet
Los cinturones de seguridad de este avión no cumplen con los estándares de los Estados Unidos.The safety belts in this airplane don't meet U.S. standards.
a. to be polite to
Voy a la cena familiar por cumplir con tus padres, no porque tenga ganas de verlos.I'm going to the family dinner just to be polite to your parents, not because I wish to see them.
b. to do one's duty by
Creo que ya he cumplido contigo, así que por favor no vuelvas a llamarme.I think I've done my duty by you, so please don't call me again.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Dolores estaba cansada, pero acudió al evento por cumplir con los padres de su novio.Dolores was tired, but she went to the event out of politeness toward her boyfriend's parents.
No soy creyente, pero tuve que ir al bautizo del bebé por cumplir con mi hermana.I'm not a believer, but I had to attend the baby's christening out of a sense of duty to my sister.
cumplir(
koom
-
pleer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to achieve
Jorge cumplió su sueño de convertirse en médico.Jorge achieved his dream of becoming a doctor.
Hay que tener fuerza de voluntad para cumplir tus metas.You need willpower to achieve your goals.
b. to carry out
Los subordinados deben cumplir las órdenes de sus superiores.Subordinates should carry out their superiors' orders.
c. to keep
No cumpliste tu promesa de quererme para siempre.You didn't keep your promise of loving me forever.
e. to observe
Los alumnos tienen que cumplir las normas del colegio.Students must observe the rules of the school.
f. to fulfill (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El presidente cumplió su promesa de postularse para la reelección.The president fulfilled his promise to run for reelection.
g. to fulfil (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Como directivo, tienes que cumplir tus obligaciones de manera profesional.As a manager, you have to fulfil your obligations with professionalism.
2. (to reach)
a. to serve
Ha cumplido diez años de condena por el asesinato.He has served ten years for the murder.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to do one's duty
Deberíamos cumplir aunque no será nada fácil.We should do our duty though it won't be very easy.
a. to feel obliged
Nos invitaron solo por cumplir.They invited us only because they felt obliged to do so.
cumplirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
6. (to happen)
a. to come true
Cuando me tocó la lotería, se cumplieron todos mis sueños.When I won the lottery, all my dreams came true.
b. to be implemented
El plan se cumplirá según lo previsto.The plan will be implemented as scheduled.
