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"Llenar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to fill", and "rellenar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to refill". Learn more about the difference between "llenar" and "rellenar" below.
llenar(
yeh
-
nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to fill
¿No vas a llenar la tina antes de lavar el perro?Aren't you going to fill the bathtub before you wash the dog?
b. to fill up
Tienes que llenar el tanque de gasolina antes de entregar el carro rentado.You have to fill up the gas tank before you turn in the rental car.
a. to fill
Los fans de los Pumas llenaron el Estadio Azteca antes del partido.The Pumas fans filled the Aztec Stadium before the game.
3. (to satisfy)
a. to fulfill
Si tu trabajo no te llena, deberías buscar otro.If your job doesn't fulfill you, you should look for another one.
a. to fill with
Tu manera de hablarme me llena de tristeza.Your way of speaking to me fills me with sadness.
a. to shower
La llenaron de elogios cuando defendió su tesis de maestría.They showered her with accolades when she defended her master's degree thesis.
a. to fill out
Necesito que llenes este formulario antes de ver al doctor.I need you to fill out this form before the doctor sees you.
b. to fill in (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Hay que llenar una solicitud para suscribirse al boletín.You have to fill in an application form to subscribe to the newsletter.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be filling
Las ensaladas no llenan mucho, pero son buenas para la salud.Salads aren't very filling, but they're good for your health.
llenarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to fill up
El centro siempre se llena el fin de semana antes de Navidad.Downtown always fills up the weekend before Christmas.
b. to get full
¿Ya se llenó la piscina? Llevas horas poniéndole agua.Has the pool gotten full yet? You've been putting water in it for hours.
a. to fill up
Me llené de pan antes de la cena y no pude comer nada de pavo.I filled up on bread before dinner and couldn't eat any turkey at all.
10. (to get covered)
a. to be covered
Te llenaste las botas de lodo y nieve. ¡Sal a lavártelas!Your boots are covered in mud and snow. Go outside and wash them off!
rellenar(
rreh
-
yeh
-
nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to refill
El mesero rellenó mi taza de café tres veces.The waiter refilled my cup of coffee three times.
a. to stuff (a cushion)
Llevé a rellenar los cojines de la sala.I took the cushions from the living room to be stuffed.
3. (culinary)
a. to fill in (gaps)
Es obligatorio rellenar los espacios en blanco.It is obligatory to fill in the blanks.
