cumplí

Cumplí is the first-person singular preterite form of the Spanish verb cumplir. The verb means to fulfill, to accomplish, or to carry out an obligation, duty, promise, or deadline. It also appears in the construction cumplir con, which means to comply with or to meet requirements. In addition, cumplir años is a common expression meaning to reach a certain age or to celebrate a birthday.

Conjugation and forms: In the preterite tense, the forms are: yo cumplí, tú cumpliste, él/ella/usted cumplió, nosotros cumplimos, vosotros cumplisteis, ellos/ellas/ustedes cumplieron. Other key forms include the infinitive cumplir, the gerund cumpliendo, and the past participle cumplido. The present perfect of cumplir is formed with haber: he cumplido, has cumplido, ha cumplido, hemos cumplido, habéis cumplido, han cumplido.

Usage notes: Cumplí is used to describe actions completed in the past. It can take a direct object, as in cumplir una promesa (to keep a promise) or cumplir una tarea (to complete a task), or it can be followed by con to indicate compliance with rules, duties, or agreements (cumplir con las normas). The expression cumplir con la ley or cumplir con un plazo is common in formal or administrative contexts. When referring to age, cumplir años is used without a direct object (cumplí 30 años).

Etymology: cumplir derives from a Latin root meaning to fill up or complete, passing into Spanish through historical stages of the Romance language family.

Examples: Ayer cumplí treinta años. Cumplí con mi deber. Cumplí mi promesa de ayudar. Cumplí con el plazo establecido.