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How to Say "stuffed" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “stuffed” is “lleno” — use this word to describe a container that is full, or when you feel physically full after eating a normal amount.

English → Spanish

lleno

yeh-nohˈʝeno

adjectiveA1general
Use this word to describe a container that is full, or when you feel physically full after eating a normal amount.
A clear glass jar completely filled to the brim with colorful, round marbles, leaving no empty space inside.

Examples

El vaso está lleno de agua.

The glass is full of water.

No puedo comer más, estoy lleno.

I can't eat anymore, I'm full.

El autobús va lleno de gente.

The bus is full of people.

Matching the Noun

As a describing word, 'lleno' changes to match the thing it describes. Use 'llena' for feminine things, 'llenos' for plural masculine things, and 'llenas' for plural feminine things. (e.g., la botella llena, los vasos llenos).

Always Use 'Estar'

To say something 'is full', always use the verb 'estar' (e.g., El tanque está lleno). Using 'ser' is a common mistake because being full is a temporary state, not a permanent characteristic.

Using 'Ser' Instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “El restaurante es lleno.”

Correction: El restaurante está lleno. Think of 'full' as a temporary condition. The restaurant could be empty later, so we use 'estar'.

harta

AR-tahˈaɾta

adjectiveA2informal
Use this informal term when you feel extremely full, often uncomfortably so, after eating a large meal.
A cartoon character sitting back from an empty plate, smiling contentedly and rubbing their full stomach.

Examples

Gracias por la comida, estoy completamente harta.

Thank you for the food, I am completely full.

Si comes más, estarás harta y no podrás caminar.

If you eat more, you will be full and won't be able to walk.

Gender Match

Since this is an adjective, it must match the person's gender. A woman says 'harta,' a man says 'harto.'

relleno

reh-YEH-nohreˈʝeno

adjectiveA2general
This describes something that has been filled with food or other material, like a toy or a dish.
A soft, plump teddy bear sitting upright.

Examples

Comimos pimientos rellenos de arroz.

We ate peppers stuffed with rice.

Tengo un oso de peluche relleno de algodón.

I have a teddy bear stuffed with cotton.

Gender Matching

Remember to change the ending to 'rellena' if you are describing a feminine word like 'una aceituna' (an olive).

The 'Filled with' Trap

Mistake: “relleno con”

Correction: relleno de

morado

mo-rah-dohmoˈɾaðo

adjectiveB1informal
Use this colloquial term to express that you or someone else has eaten to extreme excess, often to the point of feeling sick.
A happy person sitting at a table with an empty plate, leaning back and patting their full stomach.

Examples

En la cena de Navidad nos pusimos morados.

At Christmas dinner, we stuffed ourselves.

Me puse morado de tarta en el cumpleaños.

I ate a ton of cake at the birthday party.

Comimos tanto que estamos morados.

We ate so much that we are stuffed.

Becoming Purple

To say you stuffed yourself, use the verb 'ponerse' (to become) + 'morado'. It describes a change in your state.

Literal Translation

repleto

reh-PLEH-tohreˈpleto

adjectiveB1general
This word means 'packed' or 'overflowing' and can be used for places, containers, or even abstract things like feelings.
A glass jar filled to the very top with colorful round candies, with a few candies resting on the rim.

Examples

El centro comercial está repleto de gente por las rebajas.

The shopping mall is packed with people because of the sales.

Tengo el buzón repleto de correos sin leer.

I have my inbox stuffed with unread emails.

Sus ojos estaban repletos de lágrimas de alegría.

Her eyes were full of tears of joy.

The 'De' Connection

When you want to say what something is full of, always use the word 'de' (of) immediately after 'repleto'.

Matching the Subject

Because it's an adjective, the ending must change to match the gender and number: repleto (masculine), repleta (feminine), repletos (plural masculine), repletas (plural feminine).

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “El vaso es repleto.”

Correction: El vaso está repleto. Use 'estar' because being full is a state or condition, not a permanent identity.

Feeling Full vs. Being Full

The most common mistake is confusing 'lleno' (general full, or a container) with 'harta' (informal, uncomfortably full after eating). While 'lleno' can mean feeling full, 'harta' specifically implies overeating to a great extent.

Related Translations

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