Satisfacen

Satisfacen is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Spanish verb satisfacer, meaning they satisfy or meet. It is used to describe that a group of subjects currently fulfills or meets something.

Etymology and form: satisfacer comes from the Latin satisfacere, formed from satis “enough” and facere “to make.” The present indicative conjugation for ellos/ellas/ustedes is satisfacen, while the corresponding singular form is satisface.

Usage and function: Satisfacen is a transitive verb. It typically takes a direct object referring to needs, demands, expectations, requirements, or standards. When the object is a person or a group of people, Spanish often uses the preposition a: satisfacen a alguien. The verb can also be used with no explicit object, understood from context: “Los resultados satisfacen” (The results satisfy).

Examples: “Los resultados satisfacen a la junta.” (The results satisfy the board.) “La empresa satisface las demandas de los clientes.” (The company meets the customers’ demands.) “Las condiciones no satisfacen a todos los empleados.” (The conditions do not satisfy all the employees.)

Related forms and notes: The related noun is satisfacción, meaning satisfaction. Other conjugations of satisfacer include satisfago (yo), satisfaces (tú), satisface (él/ella/Ud.), satisfacemos (nosotros), satisfacéis (vosotros). Satisfacer is often contrasted with cumplir, which emphasizes fulfilling obligations, and with contentar, which emphasizes pleasing rather than fully meeting needs.

See also: Satisfacción; satisfacer (verb); contentar.