German word

Erfolg

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈfɔlk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsuccess

Example

Deine Erfolge machen mich stolz.

Your successes make me proud.

Illustration for Erfolg (success)

More examples

Der Plan brachte Erfolg.

The plan was a success.

Core concept

An effort moves a task forward and leaves a visible milestone.

Common phrases

  • Erfolg haben

    succeed

  • Erfolg erzielen

    achieve success

  • Erfolg feiern

    celebrate success

Similar words

Ergebnis: A concrete result produced by an action or event.
Gelingen: A state in which things go well and reach the intended goal.
Fortschritt: Gradual progress that moves something forward and improves it.
Sieg: Victory over an opponent in a competition or contest.

Definition in German

Erfolg bezeichnet das positive Resultat einer Handlung oder Bemühung, das als Leistung oder Fortschritt gilt.

Word origin

Erfolg comes from Middle High German erfolc, built on er- plus folgen, and originally referred to what follows from an action before developing its modern result and success senses.

Usage tips

  • German commonly uses Erfolg haben, while specific achievements can be described with einen Erfolg erzielen or einen Erfolg verbuchen.

Other meanings

  • resultnoun
  • achievementnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word