Pieno

Pieno is an Italian word that primarily means “full” or “filled.” It functions both as an adjective and as a noun, and it is used in a wide range of literal and figurative contexts. As an adjective, pieno agrees with gender and number: pieno (masc. sing.), piena (fem. sing.), pieni (masc. pl.), piene (fem. pl.). It describes a space or container that has reached capacity, as in la bottiglia è piena di latte, or in a broader sense, a room can be pieno di persone.

Pieno is also used in phrases with di to indicate what something is filled with, such as pieno di curiosità or pieno di energia, where di introduces the content. The noun form il pieno refers to the act or state of being full, and the common expression fare il pieno means to fill up, especially a vehicle’s fuel tank. Un pieno can denote a full tank of gasoline.

Etymologically, pieno derives from the Latin plenus, which carries the sense of fullness and abundance; the sense has been retained and specialized in Italian usage over many centuries. Related forms include pienamente, the adverb meaning “fully” or “completely,” and molti derivati related to fullness or abundance. Antonyms include vuoto (empty) and scarso (scarce).

Usage notes emphasize that pieno is versatile but most naturally applied to physical fullness or to figurative fullness (emotional or quantitative). It is common in everyday speech, signage, and literature, appearing in expressions such as pieno di impegni, pieno di sorprese, or fare il pieno di benzina.