llenar
/yeh-NAHR/
to fill
Llenar: To fill a container.
llenar(verb)
to fill
?a container or space
to pour
?when filling with liquid
,to stock
?store shelves, pantry
📝 In Action
Necesitas llenar el tanque de gasolina antes de viajar.
A1You need to fill the gas tank before traveling.
La camarera llenó mi taza de café otra vez.
A1The waitress filled my coffee cup again.
Vamos a llenar la piscina con agua de la manguera.
A2We are going to fill the pool with water from the hose.
💡 Grammar Points
Simple Regular Verb
This is a regular -AR verb, making its conjugation very predictable. Just follow the standard pattern for all tenses!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Llenar' and 'Llevar'
Mistake: "Using 'llevar' (to take/carry) when you mean 'llenar' (to fill)."
Correction: Remember the 'n' in 'llenar' sounds like 'in' in 'inundate' (to flood/fill up). Use 'Llené el cubo' (I filled the bucket).
⭐ Usage Tips
Preposition Use
When you specify what you are filling the container with, use the preposition 'con' (with): 'Llené la jarra con agua.'
Llenar: To fill out a form or document.
📝 In Action
¿Podría llenar este formulario de inscripción, por favor?
A2Could you fill out this registration form, please?
Debes llenar todos los campos con tu información personal.
B1You must fill in all the fields with your personal information.
💡 Grammar Points
Transitive Verb
Like the literal meaning, 'llenar' always needs an object here: you fill what? (The form, the survey, etc.).
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Rellenar'
While 'llenar' is correct, you might also hear 'rellenar' used specifically when talking about filling out forms or documents.
Llenar: To occupy or fill a space completely.
llenar(verb)
to fill
?to occupy a space, time, or emotion
,to satisfy
?hunger, needs
to take up
?occupying time
📝 In Action
La tristeza llenó su corazón después de la noticia.
B1Sadness filled her heart after the news.
Su voz potente llenó el teatro entero.
B1His powerful voice filled the entire theater.
Este pequeño trabajo me ayuda a llenar el tiempo libre.
B2This little job helps me fill my free time.
💡 Grammar Points
Emotional Use
When talking about emotions, the emotion itself is often the subject doing the filling: 'La alegría (joy) llenó mi vida.'
Llenar: To become full.
llenar(verb)
to become full
?space or container filling up
,to get crowded
?a place becoming busy
to get covered in
?used with 'de' (of)
📝 In Action
El restaurante se llenó rápidamente después de las siete.
A2The restaurant became full quickly after seven.
Si no tienes cuidado, te vas a llenar de arena en la playa.
B1If you are not careful, you are going to get covered in sand at the beach.
Me llené de energía después de la siesta.
B2I filled up with energy after the nap.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive 'Se'
When you add 'se' (llenarse), the action happens to the subject. The restaurant doesn't fill something else; it becomes full itself.
Using 'De'
When you say what the subject is becoming full with or of, you almost always use the preposition 'de' (of/with): 'La casa se llenó de humo' (The house filled with smoke).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'Se'
Mistake: "Saying 'El vaso llenó' (The glass filled [something else]) when you mean 'El vaso se llenó' (The glass filled up)."
Correction: Use the reflexive form 'se llenó' when describing something that got full on its own.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: llenar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'llenar' in its figurative sense (B1)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'llenar' y 'rellenar'?
'Llenar' means to fill something that is empty (like a glass). 'Rellenar' means to fill something again (to refill a glass) or to fill in missing spaces (like filling out a form or adding stuffing to food).
Does 'llenar' always require the preposition 'con' (with)?
Not always, but often. If you state what you are filling the container *with*, you use 'con' (Llenar la taza con té). However, if you use the reflexive form 'llenarse,' you use 'de' (El ambiente se llenó de música).