befolgen

Befolgen is a German verb meaning to follow or to comply with instructions, rules, or orders. It is used when someone carries out directives or adheres to established regulations. Common contexts include everyday tasks, workplace procedures, medical or legal instructions, and formal regulations. The verb often collocates with nouns such as Anweisungen (instructions), Regeln (rules), Vorschriften (regulations), or Gesetze (laws).

Etymology and form: Befolgen is formed from the prefix be- and the verb folgen (to follow). It is a regular verb in its conjugation. In the present tense the forms are: ich befolge, du befolgst, er befolgt, wir befolgen, ihr befolgt, sie befolgen. The past participle is befolgt, and the auxiliary used in perfect tense is haben: ich habe befolgt, du hast befolgt, er hat befolgt, etc. The noun Befolgung, meaning compliance or following, is often used in formal or legal language to describe the act of complying with rules or instructions.

Usage notes and synonyms: Befolgen conveys deliberate compliance with explicit directions or established rules. It is somewhat more formal than everyday expressions like beachten (to pay attention to) or sich an etwas halten (to adhere to something). Related terms include einhalten (to adhere to or observe strictly) and respektieren (to respect), depending on nuance. Typical collocations include die Anweisungen befolgen, die Vorschriften befolgen, and die Gesetze befolgen. In legal or organizational texts, Befolgung is used to discuss whether requirements were met.