Translation guide
How to express 'brimming' in Japanese, covering fullness, overflowing emotions, and abundance.
Describing a container filled to the very top, almost overflowing.
Adverb meaning 'to the brim', often used with pouring or filling.
コップになみなみと水を注いだ。
I filled the glass to the brim with water.
Expressing that someone is filled with a feeling, energy, or characteristic.
Pattern meaning 'overflowing with ~'. Attach to a noun indicating the emotion or quality.
彼女は自信にあふれている。
She is brimming with confidence.
Describing a place full of energy, people, or things.
Pattern for places overflowing with people or things.
通りは観光客であふれていた。
The street was brimming with tourists.
あふれる emphasizes the sense of overflowing, while いっぱい simply means full. Use あふれる for a more vivid, dynamic image.
川があふれそうだ。
The river is brimming (about to overflow).
バケツがいっぱいだ。
The bucket is full.
Means 'full', can be used for containers filled to the brim.
コップがいっぱいだ。
The glass is full to the brim.
Literally 'full cup', more formal or written.
会場は満杯だった。
The venue was brimming with people.
The letter was brimming with affection.
Means 'full of ~', can be used for emotions or abstract things.
心が喜びでいっぱいだ。
My heart is brimming with joy.
Literary or formal, meaning 'to be filled with'.
彼の目は悲しみに満ちていた。
His eyes were brimming with sadness.
Set phrase meaning 'brimming with energy/vitality'.
市場は活気にあふれている。
The market is brimming with energy.