Erfüllung

Erfüllung is a German noun that denotes fulfillment, completion, or satisfaction. Etymology: from the prefix er- plus Füllen (to fill), the term literally conveys the idea of something being filled or realized. In modern usage it covers both external achievement (the fulfillment of a promise, the completion of a task) and internal resonance (a sense of meaning or purpose).

Usage and senses: Erfüllung can refer to the realization of intentions or goals, such as Berufserfüllung (fulfillment in work) or Lebens-Erfüllung (life fulfillment). It is often contrasted with Befriedigung, which highlights immediate gratification or the satisfaction of a need rather than longer-term or existential completion. In everyday speech, Erfüllung is connected to the felt significance of events, relationships, and commitments.

Psychology and philosophy: In psychology, Erfüllung aligns with conceptions of eudaimonic well-being—living in accordance with one's values and realizing one's potential. In philosophy and ethics, the term can describe the attainment of a telos or the achievement of a moral or existential end. In religious or spiritual discourse, Erfüllung can denote a perceived harmony with transcendent aims or divine purposes.

See also: Befriedigung; Sinn; Lebenszufriedenheit; Selbstverwirklichung; Berufserfüllung; Teleologie.