llenovscompleto
/YEH-noh/
/kohm-PLEH-toh/
💡 Quick Rule
Lleno = physically full (of something). Completo = whole or finished (nothing is missing).
Think: Lleno is 'Loaded' with stuff. Completo is 'Completed' and has all its parts.
- To say you're full after eating, always use 'Estoy lleno/a'.
- For hotels or events, 'lleno' and 'completo' can both mean 'booked up'.
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | lleno | completo | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A puzzle | (No se usa) | El rompecabezas está completo. | Completo means all the pieces are present. Lleno doesn't fit here. |
| A gas tank | El tanque está lleno. | (No se usa) | Lleno describes physical capacity. You fill a tank *with* gas. |
| After eating | ¡Estoy lleno! | (No se usa) | To say you feel full from food, you must use 'lleno'. |
| A form | El formulario está lleno. | El formulario está completo. | Both can work. 'Lleno' means filled out, 'completo' means all required info is there. |
✅ When to Use "lleno" / completo
lleno
Full, filled up. Describes a container or space that can't hold any more.
/YEH-noh/
Describing containers
El vaso está lleno de agua.
The glass is full of water.
Describing spaces
El autobús va lleno.
The bus is full.
Feeling full after eating
Gracias, pero no puedo comer más. Estoy lleno.
Thanks, but I can't eat anymore. I'm full.
Covered in something
Tus zapatos están llenos de lodo.
Your shoes are covered in mud.
completo
Complete, whole, entire. Describes something that has all its parts or is finished.
/kohm-PLEH-toh/
Describing a set or collection
Mi colección de estampillas está completa.
My stamp collection is complete.
Describing a finished task
El informe por fin está completo.
The report is finally complete.
Describing a full meal or package
El menú completo incluye postre.
The complete menu includes dessert.
Describing a full schedule
Lo siento, tengo el día completo.
I'm sorry, I have a full day.
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "lleno":
El formulario está lleno.
The form is filled out. (The spaces have writing in them.)
With "completo":
El formulario está completo.
The form is complete. (It has all the necessary information.)
The Difference: A form can be 'lleno' (every line filled) but not 'completo' if the information is wrong or missing. 'Completo' implies it's finished and correct.
With "lleno":
Fue un día lleno de reuniones.
It was a day full of meetings.
With "completo":
Tengo el día completo.
I have a full/booked day.
The Difference: 'Lleno de' describes what fills the day (meetings, surprises, etc.). 'Completo' describes the day itself as being totally occupied.
With "lleno":
El hotel está lleno.
The hotel is full.
With "completo":
El hotel está completo.
The hotel is full/booked up.
The Difference: In this specific case (hotels, flights, events), both words are often used interchangeably to mean there is no more space or availability.
🎨 Visual Comparison
'Lleno' means physically full. 'Completo' means all the parts are there.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Comí demasiado, estoy completo.
Comí demasiado, estoy lleno.
To express the feeling of being full after a meal, the correct word is always 'lleno'. 'Estoy completo' sounds unnatural, like you're saying 'I am a whole person'.
La serie de televisión está llena.
La serie de televisión está completa.
A series is a set, not a container. 'Completa' means you have all the seasons or episodes. 'Lleno' doesn't make sense in this context.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
🏷️ Key Words
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Lleno vs Completo
Question 1 of 2
After a huge lunch, you should say:
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I say 'un vaso completo de agua'?
You can, but it means something different. 'Un vaso lleno de agua' means a glass full of water. 'Un vaso completo de agua' means an entire glass of water (implying you drank the whole thing). It's more common to say 'un vaso entero'.
Are there any other meanings for 'completo'?
Yes, as an adverb ('por completo') it means 'completely' or 'entirely'. For example, 'Olvidé por completo su cumpleaños' means 'I completely forgot his birthday'.