satisfaire
satisfy
Donner ce que quelqu’un attend ou désire, pour qu’il soit content.
Definition & meaning
Satisfaire is a French verb meaning “to satisfy,” “to fulfill,” “to meet,” or “to gratify.”
Its main meanings are:
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To satisfy a person or desire
To give someone what they want or need.- Cette réponse satisfait le client. — “This answer satisfies the customer.”
- satisfaire un désir — “to satisfy a desire”
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To fulfill or meet a requirement, condition, or obligation
- satisfaire aux exigences — “to meet the requirements”
- satisfaire à une obligation — “to fulfill an obligation”
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To satisfy a need or appetite
- satisfaire la faim — “to satisfy hunger”
- satisfaire un besoin — “to meet a need”
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Se satisfaire de: to be satisfied with, or to make do with, something
- Il se satisfait de peu. — “He is content with little” or “He makes do with little.”
The verb can refer to practical satisfaction, as in meeting a need, or emotional/intellectual satisfaction, as in providing an acceptable answer.
Grammar & Word origin
Satisfaire is an irregular verb of the third group. It is generally transitive and takes a direct object:
- satisfaire quelqu’un — “to satisfy someone”
- satisfaire une demande — “to meet a request”
Important forms include:
- Present: je satisfais, nous satisfaisons, ils satisfont
- Past participle: satisfait
- Future: je satisferai
- Imperfect: je satisfaisais
The expression satisfaire à is used especially with formal ideas such as requirements, conditions, duties, or obligations:
- satisfaire aux critères — “to meet the criteria”
The verb comes from the Latin satisfacere, meaning “to do enough” or “to provide enough.” It is composed historically of satis, “enough,” and facere, “to do” or “to make.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- contenter : “to satisfy” or “to please” someone. It often emphasizes making a person happy, whereas satisfaire can also mean fulfilling a requirement or need.
- combler : “to fulfill completely” or “to fill.” It suggests a particularly high degree of satisfaction, often involving a desire, expectation, or emotional need.
- assouvir : “to satiate” or “to gratify.” It is commonly used with strong physical or emotional desires, such as hunger, thirst, or revenge.
- répondre à une demande : literally “to respond to a request,” and by extension “to meet a request or need.” It focuses more on adequacy or responsiveness than on personal satisfaction.
- remplir : “to fulfill” a condition, function, or obligation. It is more appropriate for formal duties or criteria than for satisfying a person.
Antonyms
- mécontenter : “to displease” or “to make dissatisfied.” It is the clearest direct opposite when referring to a person.
- décevoir : “to disappoint.” It emphasizes failing to meet someone’s expectations rather than simply failing to satisfy a need.
- frustrer : “to frustrate” or “to prevent someone from obtaining what they want.” It conveys obstruction or unfulfilled desire.
- insatisfaire : “to leave unsatisfied.” This is a relatively formal and less common antonym.
Common phrases & collocations
- satisfaire un besoin — to meet a need
- satisfaire une demande — to meet a request
- satisfaire les attentes — to meet expectations
- satisfaire aux exigences — to meet the requirements
- satisfaire aux conditions — to fulfill the conditions
- satisfaire la curiosité — to satisfy curiosity
- satisfaire la faim — to satisfy hunger
- se satisfaire de peu — to be content with little
- à la satisfaction de tous — to everyone’s satisfaction
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Examples
Je veux satisfaire mes amis.verb
I want to satisfy my friends.
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