Translation guide
The English verb 'fill' covers a range of meanings from making something full to occupying space or time. This guide organizes the most common uses for learners and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To put something into a container until it is full.
Transitive verb meaning to fill something with a substance or emotion. Often used for liquids, but also for abstract things like satisfaction.
彼はコップを水で満たした。
He filled the glass with water.
A very common, casual phrase meaning 'to make full'. Used for containers, rooms, etc.
バケツを水でいっぱいにした。
I filled the bucket with water.
To stuff, pack, or cram something into a container. Implies filling tightly or completely.
彼はスーツケースに服を詰めた。
He filled the suitcase with clothes.
Technical term for filling, used in manufacturing or formal contexts.
工場でボトルにジュースを充填する。
They fill bottles with juice at the factory.
To become full of something, often used intransitively.
Intransitive verb meaning to become full, to rise (tide), or to be filled with emotion. Often used in literary or emotional contexts.
会場は熱気に満ちていた。
The venue was filled with excitement.
Common phrase meaning 'to become full'. Used for containers, spaces, schedules, etc.
グラスが水でいっぱいになった。
The glass filled with water.
To be filled up, buried, or covered. Often used for holes, vacancies, or schedules.
To put something into a hole, crack, or empty space to make it level or complete.
Transitive verb meaning to fill in, bury, or plug. Used for holes, gaps, and also for filling a vacancy or making up a deficit.
彼は穴を土で埋めた。
He filled the hole with dirt.
To block, plug, or fill an opening. Often used for gaps, holes, or even emotional voids.
隙間をテープでふさいだ。
I filled the gap with tape.
To write information in the blank spaces of a form.
Standard verb for filling in blanks on a form or document.
この用紙に必要事項を記入してください。
Please fill in the required information on this form.
To write in, fill in, or enter information. Slightly more casual than 記入する.
空欄に名前を書き込んでください。
Please fill in your name in the blank.
To perform the duties of a job or function.
To serve in a role, to act as. Used for official positions or functions.
彼は議長の役を務めた。
He filled the role of chairperson.
To fulfill, accomplish, or carry out a role or duty.
To occupy or use up a period of time.
To kill time, to fill time with some activity. Casual.
暇な時間を読書でつぶした。
I filled my free time with reading.
To spend or devote time, often with a nuance of using it up on something.
To cause someone to feel a strong emotion.
Used for filling someone with emotion, satisfaction, etc.
その知らせは彼を喜びで満たした。
The news filled him with joy.
Casual way to say filled with emotion.
彼女の心は感謝でいっぱいになった。
Her heart filled with gratitude.
English 'fill' often uses a direct object and a substance. In Japanese, the particle で marks the substance used to fill something. Do not use を for the substance unless it is the direct object of a verb like 詰める.
満たす is more formal and often used in written or abstract contexts (e.g., filling a need). いっぱいにする is casual and concrete (e.g., filling a glass).
All the empty seats filled up.
She filled the role adequately.
彼は多くの時間を研究に費やした。
He filled much of his time with research.