Translation guide
The English phrase "fill up" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: making a container full, filling a vehicle with fuel, becoming full, and filling out a form. It also includes related expressions for eating until full and filling a schedule.
お腹がいっぱいです。
I'm full (from eating).
この用紙に記入してください。
Please fill out this form.
To put enough of something into a container so that it is full.
A general verb meaning 'to fill' or 'to satisfy'. Used for filling containers, spaces, or abstract needs.
コップを水で満たす。
Fill the cup with water.
A very common and natural phrase meaning 'to make full'. Literally 'make one cup/container full'. Suitable for everyday conversation.
グラスを水でいっぱいにしてください。
Please fill the glass with water.
Same as above, but can also be used in more formal or written contexts.
Technical term for 'filling' or 'charging', used in industrial or formal contexts (e.g., filling a gas cylinder, filling a mold).
ボンベにガスを充填する。
Fill the cylinder with gas.
To put gasoline/petrol or other fuel into a vehicle's tank.
The standard phrase for 'fill up the tank'. Literally 'make full tank'. Used at gas stations.
ガソリンを満タンにしてください。
Please fill it up (with gas).
A more formal or technical verb meaning 'to refuel'. Often used in written instructions or by professionals.
To become full by itself, without a direct agent.
The most common way to say 'become full'. Used for containers, rooms, schedules, etc.
バケツが水でいっぱいになった。
The bucket filled up with water.
会場は人でいっぱいになった。
The venue filled up with people.
To complete a form by writing information in the blank spaces.
The standard verb for 'fill in/out' a form. Literally 'write in'.
この用紙に必要事項を記入してください。
Please fill out this form with the required information.
To eat enough food so that you are no longer hungry.
The most natural way to say 'I'm full' or 'I filled up on food'. Literally 'stomach becomes full'.
もうお腹がいっぱいです。
I'm already full.
パンでお腹がいっぱいになった。
I filled up on bread.
To occupy all available time with activities or appointments.
Means 'my schedule is full'. A very common way to say you have no free time.
今週は予定でいっぱいです。
This week is filled up with plans.
In English, 'I filled up on snacks' is natural. In Japanese, avoid directly translating 'fill up' as 満たす for eating. Use お腹がいっぱいになる or 満腹する instead.
スナックでお腹がいっぱいになった。
I filled up on snacks.
満たす (mitasu) is more formal and can be used for abstract things (needs, conditions). いっぱいにする is more concrete and conversational for physical containers.
I filled the bucket with water.
車に給油する必要がある。
I need to fill up the car.
A slightly more literary or formal verb meaning 'to be filled' or 'to become full'. Often used for abstract things like emotions or the tide.
Means 'to fill in' or 'to write in'. Slightly more casual than 記入する, often used for filling in blanks on a form or writing in a notebook.
空欄に名前を書き込んでください。
Please fill in your name in the blank.
A more formal or written expression meaning 'to be full' or 'to eat one's fill'. Often used in the past tense.
満腹しました。
I'm full. (polite)
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be filled' or 'to be occupied'. Used for time slots, seats, etc.
空いている時間が全部埋まった。
All my free time has filled up.