satisfacER

Satisfacer is a Spanish transitive verb meaning to satisfy, fulfill, or meet a need, obligation, desire, or condition. It can also mean to please someone. The related noun is satisfacción and the adjective satisfactorio; the past participle is satisfecho.

Etymology: from Latin satisfacere, formed from satis (enough) and facere (to do).

Usage notes: Satisfacer is irregular in several tenses. It takes a direct object referring to what is satisfied (satisfacer una necesidad) and may take a person with the preposition a (satisface a los clientes). The phrase me satisface expresses personal satisfaction. In legal or contractual contexts, it can indicate compliance with terms or requirements. In everyday speech, it often carries the nuance of meeting a standard rather than merely pleasing someone.

Conjugation overview: Present indicative forms include yo satisfago, tú satisfaces, él satisface, nosotros satisfacemos, vosotros satisfacéis, ellos satisfacen. Preterite forms are satisfacer: satisfací, satisfaciste, satisfizo, satisfacimos, satisfacisteis, satisfacieron. Past participle: satisfecho; gerund: satisfaciendo. Present subjunctive: satisfaga, satisfagas, satisfaga, satisfagamos, satisfagáis, satisfagan. Imperative affirmative: satisface, satisfaga, satisfagamos, satisfaced, satisfagan. Future and conditional forms use the stems satisfar- and endings: satisfaré, satisfarás, satisfará, satisfaremos, satisfaréis, satisfarán; satisfaría, satisfarías, satisfaría, satisfaríamos, satisfaríais, satisfarían.

Usage examples: “La empresa debe satisfacer las condiciones del contrato.” “Ese resultado me satisface.” These illustrate meeting formal requirements and personal satisfaction.

See also: satisfacción, satisfecho, satisfactorio.