I'm full
in SpanishEstoy lleno / Estoy llena
/eh-STOY YEH-noh / YEH-nah/
The most direct and common way to say you've had enough to eat. Use 'lleno' if you identify as male and 'llena' if you identify as female.
Body language often accompanies 'Estoy lleno'—leaning back and patting the stomach is a universal sign of a good meal.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Estoy satisfecho / Estoy satisfecha
/eh-STOY sah-tis-FEH-choh / sah-tis-FEH-chah/
A polite, elegant way to say you are full. Literally means 'I am satisfied.'
No puedo más
/noh PWEH-doh mahs/
Literally 'I can't [do/eat] anymore.' It implies you are physically unable to take another bite.
Estoy a reventar
/eh-STOY ah reh-ben-TAR/
A colorful expression meaning 'I'm about to burst/explode.'
Estoy repleto / Estoy repleta
/eh-STOY reh-PLEH-toh / reh-PLEH-tah/
Means 'I am completely stuffed' or 'brim-full.' Stronger than just 'lleno.'
Estoy pipón / Estoy pipona
/eh-STOY pee-POHN / pee-POH-nah/
A cute, colloquial way to say you are happily stuffed.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choose the right phrase based on who you are eating with.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estoy lleno/a | Neutral | Everyday situations, friends, casual dining | Extremely formal diplomatic events (use satisfecho) |
| Estoy satisfecho/a | Formal | Business lunches, meeting in-laws, upscale restaurants | Drinking beers with close buddies (sounds stiff) |
| Estoy a reventar | Informal | Close friends, family holidays | Work functions or polite company |
📈Difficulty Level
The double 'LL' (pronounced like 'y' in 'yes') is the only tricky part.
Requires knowing 'Estar' conjugations and basic gender agreement (o/a).
Knowing how to refuse more food politely without offending the cook takes practice.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to change 'o' to 'a' if you are female
- Pronouncing the 'LL' sound correctly
💡Examples in Action
No gracias, estoy llena. Todo estaba delicioso.
No thank you, I'm full. Everything was delicious.
¡Uf, no puedo más! Comí demasiado.
Oof, I can't have any more! I ate too much.
El cliente dijo que estaba satisfecho con la comida.
The client said he was satisfied (full) with the meal.
Estoy a reventar, necesito una siesta.
I'm about to burst, I need a nap.
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Sobremesa' Tradition
In Spanish culture, being full isn't the end of the meal—it's just the beginning of 'la sobremesa.' This is the time spent chatting, drinking coffee, and relaxing at the table after eating. It's considered rude to eat and run immediately after saying you're full.
The Insistent Host
In many Hispanic households, especially with older generations (abuelas), saying 'Estoy lleno' might be seen as a challenge rather than a fact. Hosts often insist you eat just 'un poquito más' (a little bit more). It's a sign of affection, so refuse gently but firmly if you really can't eat more.
Barriga llena, corazón contento
This is a very famous saying across the Spanish-speaking world: 'Full belly, happy heart.' It reflects the deep cultural connection between food, well-being, and happiness.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Soy' instead of 'Estoy'
Mistake: "Saying 'Soy lleno'"
Correction: Estoy lleno
The 'Relleno' Trap
Mistake: "Saying 'Estoy relleno' to mean 'I'm stuffed'"
Correction: Estoy lleno / Estoy repleto
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: "A woman saying 'Estoy lleno'"
Correction: Estoy llena
💡Pro Tips
Use the 'Hand Pat'
If you're struggling to get the pronunciation right, a universal non-verbal cue in Spanish culture is to gently pat your stomach with one hand while smiling and shaking your head 'no.' It clearly communicates 'I'm full and happy.'
Soften the Blow
Simply saying 'Estoy lleno' can sometimes feel abrupt. It is much more polite to sandwich it between compliments: 'Todo estaba rico, pero ya estoy lleno, gracias' (Everything was tasty, but I'm full now, thanks).
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
'El mal del puerco' refers to the sleepy feeling you get after eating too much (food coma). It's very common slang.
Spain
'Ponerse morado' (to turn oneself purple) is a colorful idiom in Spain meaning you ate a huge amount of food.
Colombia
Colombians might say 'No me cabe ni un tinto' (Not even a black coffee fits) to emphasize how full they are.
💬What Comes Next?
The host offers you more food anyway
¿Un poquito más? / ¿Seguro que no quieres postre?
A little bit more? / Are you sure you don't want dessert?
De verdad, no puedo más. Gracias.
Honestly, I can't have anymore. Thanks.
You want to compliment the food after finishing
¿Qué tal estuvo todo?
How was everything?
Delicioso, pero ya estoy satisfecho.
Delicious, but I'm satisfied now.
🧠Memory Tricks
Imagine a highway 'lane' that is completely full of cars—bumper to bumper. The lane is 'lleno' (full).
This is a cognate (a word that looks/sounds the same). If you are 'satisfied' with your meal, you are 'satisfecho'.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, 'I'm full' applies to both people and containers (like a gas tank). Spanish is similar—'lleno' works for both. However, Spanish culture places a higher value on 'over-feeding' guests, so a simple 'I'm full' is often met with more resistance than in English-speaking cultures.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating 'stuffed' literally as 'relleno' is incorrect. 'Relleno' implies you have been physically filled with stuffing like a food item.
Use instead: Use 'Estoy repleto' instead.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'It was delicious'
It's the perfect phrase to pair with 'I'm full' to be polite.
How to ask for the bill
Once you are full, the next logical step is paying the check.
How to say 'thank you' in Spanish
Essential for thanking the host after a meal.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I'm full
Question 1 of 3
You are at a formal business dinner with a new client. They offer you dessert, but you cannot eat another bite. What is the best phrase to use?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I say 'Estoy full' in Spanish?
In some parts of Latin America, especially near the US border or in Spanglish-heavy areas (like Puerto Rico), you might hear 'Estoy full.' However, it is not standard Spanish and should be avoided in formal situations or when speaking to people who don't know English.
Is it rude to leave food on my plate if I'm full?
This varies by region. In Spain and many parts of South America, cleaning your plate is a compliment. In some Central American contexts, leaving a tiny bite can signify that the host provided more than enough food. However, generally, it's better to finish what you took.
What if I accidentally say 'Estoy embarazada' instead?
This is a classic mistake! 'Embarazada' means 'pregnant,' not 'embarrassed' or 'full.' If you say this, everyone will likely laugh good-naturedly. Just correct yourself quickly: '¡No, no! Quería decir que estoy lleno/a.'
Why do people say 'Buen provecho' when I finish eating?
'Buen provecho' (or just 'Provecho') is usually said *before* or *during* a meal (like Bon Appétit). If someone says it when you finish, they might be acknowledging that you enjoyed the meal. You can simply respond with 'Gracias'.
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