cumple
/kúm-ple/
fulfills
When someone cumple a promise, it means they 'fulfill' it.
cumple(Verb)
fulfills
?He/She fulfills a promise
,carries out
?He/She carries out a duty
,completes
?He/She completes a goal
keeps
?keeps a promise
,complies
?complies with regulations
📝 In Action
Ella siempre cumple con lo que promete.
A2She always fulfills what she promises.
Si no cumple las reglas, habrá consecuencias.
B1If he doesn't comply with the rules, there will be consequences.
¡Cumple tu promesa!
A2Fulfill your promise! (Informal command to 'tú')
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'con'
When talking about fulfilling promises or obligations, the verb 'cumplir' often needs the small word 'con' afterwards: 'cumplir con la ley' (comply with the law).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'cumple' for 'complete' (a task)
Mistake: "Using 'cumple el trabajo' for 'completes the work'."
Correction: While 'cumple' can mean 'complete', 'termina' (terminar) or 'acaba' (acabar) are usually more natural when referring to finishing a specific task or project.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Tú' Command
'Cumple' is the informal command (for 'tú'). It tells someone directly to do something: '¡Cumple tu misión!' (Fulfill your mission!).
In the context of age, cumple means to 'turn' a specific age.
cumple(Verb)
turns
?He/She turns a specific age
celebrates a birthday
?Implied meaning when used with 'años'
📝 In Action
Mi hermana cumple 25 años hoy.
A1My sister turns 25 today.
El próximo mes, mi perro cumple tres.
A1Next month, my dog turns three.
Dicen que el señor cumple 100 años esta semana.
B1They say the gentleman turns 100 this week.
💡 Grammar Points
Always use 'años'
When talking about age, you must include the word 'años' (years) after the number, unless the context is absolutely clear, as in 'cumple 5 años'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'is turning'
Mistake: "Using the continuous form: 'Está cumpliendo 10 años'."
Correction: While technically possible, Spanish speakers almost always use the simple present: 'Cumple 10 años' (He is turning 10).
⭐ Usage Tips
The Most Common Use
This is likely the most common way you will hear the word 'cumple' in daily conversation, since birthdays are frequent topics.
Cumple is a colloquial abbreviation for 'birthday' (cumpleaños).
cumple(Noun)
birthday
?Colloquial abbreviation of 'cumpleaños'
birthday party
?Referring to the celebration itself
📝 In Action
¿Cuándo es tu cumple?
A2When is your birthday?
Vamos a hacer una fiesta para el cumple de Sofía.
B1We are going to throw a party for Sofía's birthday.
¡Feliz cumple!
A1Happy birthday! (Very common short form)
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Abbreviation
Even though it's a shortened word, 'cumple' keeps the masculine gender of the full word 'cumpleaños', so always use 'el cumple'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'la cumple'
Mistake: "Saying 'la cumple' because 'fiesta' (party) is feminine."
Correction: Since 'cumple' stands for 'el cumpleaños', it is always masculine: 'el cumple'. If you mean the party, say 'la fiesta de cumple'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Contexts Only
Use 'el cumple' only with friends, family, or in casual conversation. In formal writing or professional settings, stick to the full word 'cumpleaños'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cumple
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'cumple' in its colloquial noun form?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cumple' the same as 'cumpleaños'?
No. 'Cumpleaños' is the full word for 'birthday' (noun). 'Cumple' is the verb form (he/she fulfills/turns) AND a very common, informal abbreviation for 'cumpleaños'.
When should I use 'cumple con' versus just 'cumple'?
Use 'cumple con' when you mean 'comply with' or 'meet' a requirement, promise, or expectation (e.g., 'cumple con la ley'). Use just 'cumple' when talking about age ('cumple diez años') or directly completing an abstract thing ('cumple su sueño').