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.
He filled the glass with water.
A very common, casual phrase meaning 'to make full'. Used for containers, rooms, etc.
I filled the bucket with water.
To stuff, pack, or cram something into a container. Implies filling tightly or completely.
He filled the suitcase with clothes.
Technical term for filling, used in manufacturing or formal contexts.
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.
The venue was filled with excitement.
Common phrase meaning 'to become full'. Used for containers, spaces, schedules, etc.
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.
He filled the hole with dirt.
To block, plug, or fill an opening. Often used for gaps, holes, or even emotional voids.
To write information in the blank spaces of a form.
To perform the duties of a job or function.
To occupy or use up a period of time.
To cause someone to feel a strong emotion.
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.
I filled the gap with tape.
空欄に名前を書き込んでください。
Please fill in your name in the blank.
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.