满足 (mǎn zú) is a verb meaning 'to satisfy' (when used transitively, with an object) or 'to be satisfied' (intransitively, often with the particle 了 or in stative constructions). The character 满 means 'full' or 'complete', and 足 means 'sufficient' or 'enough'; together they evoke the idea of a state where needs or desires are fully met — like a cup filled to the brim and no longer needing more. It’s commonly used in psychological, emotional, or material contexts: describing personal contentment, meeting requirements, fulfilling expectations, or completing obligations.

This word carries a neutral-to-positive connotation and appears frequently in daily speech, formal writing, and psychological discourse. It can describe both subjective feelings ('I feel satisfied') and objective outcomes ('The proposal satisfies all criteria'). Unlike colloquial alternatives like 高兴 (gāo xìng, 'happy'), 满足 emphasizes fulfillment rather than fleeting emotion — it’s about completeness, not just joy.