Inklingo
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cumple

kúm-ple/ˈkumple/

fulfills, carries out, completes

Also: keeps, complies
VerbA2regular ir
A happy cartoon character handing a brightly wrapped present to another smiling cartoon character, symbolizing fulfilling a promise.
infinitivecumplir
gerundcumpliendo
past Participlecumplido

📝 In Action

Ella siempre cumple con lo que promete.

A2

She always fulfills what she promises.

Si no cumple las reglas, habrá consecuencias.

B1

If he doesn't comply with the rules, there will be consequences.

¡Cumple tu promesa!

A2

Fulfill your promise! (Informal command to 'tú')

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • realiza (carries out)
  • ejecuta (executes)

Antonyms

  • incumple (fails to fulfill)

Common Collocations

  • cumple con su deber – he/she fulfills their duty
  • cumple los requisitos – he/she meets the requirements

turns

Also: celebrates a birthday
VerbA1regular ir
A hand carefully placing one lit candle onto a small, colorful birthday cake, symbolizing turning a new age.
infinitivecumplir
gerundcumpliendo
past Participlecumplido

📝 In Action

Mi hermana cumple 25 años hoy.

A1

My sister turns 25 today.

El próximo mes, mi perro cumple tres.

A1

Next month, my dog turns three.

Dicen que el señor cumple 100 años esta semana.

B1

They say the gentleman turns 100 this week.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • cumple años – turns years old
  • cumple la mayoría de edad – turns of legal age

birthday

Also: birthday party
NounmB1informal
Mexico
A large, brightly decorated birthday cake sitting on a table next to several colorful balloons and streamers.

📝 In Action

¿Cuándo es tu cumple?

A2

When is your birthday?

Vamos a hacer una fiesta para el cumple de Sofía.

B1

We are going to throw a party for Sofía's birthday.

¡Feliz cumple!

A1

Happy birthday! (Very common short form)

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cumpleaños (birthday)

Common Collocations

  • fiesta de cumple – birthday party
  • regalo de cumple – birthday gift

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedcumple
yocumplo
túcumples
ellos/ellas/ustedescumplen
nosotroscumplimos
vosotroscumplís

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcumplía
yocumplía
túcumplías
ellos/ellas/ustedescumplían
nosotroscumplíamos
vosotroscumplíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedcumplió
yocumplí
túcumpliste
ellos/ellas/ustedescumplieron
nosotroscumplimos
vosotroscumplisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedcumpla
yocumpla
túcumplas
ellos/ellas/ustedescumplan
nosotroscumplamos
vosotroscumpláis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcumpliera
yocumpliera
túcumplieras
ellos/ellas/ustedescumplieran
nosotroscumpliéramos
vosotroscumplierais
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cumple

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'cumple' in its colloquial noun form?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cumplir(to fulfill/to turn (an age)) — Verb
cumpleaños(birthday) — Noun
cumplimiento(fulfillment/compliance) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
simpleejemple
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'cumplir' comes from the Latin word 'complēre', meaning 'to fill up' or 'to complete'. This root explains both meanings: completing a task (fulfillment) and completing a year (turning an age).

First recorded: 13th century (as 'complir')

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: cumprirFrench: accomplir

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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').