riempirsi

Riempirsi is the reflexive form of the Italian verb riempire, meaning to fill. In its pronominal use, riempirsi describes the subject becoming full or being filled, either in a physical sense or more broadly with emotions, thoughts, or content. It can refer to a person’s stomach filling with food, or figuratively to being filled with joy, concern, or ideas.

Construction and usage

Riempirsi is a regular -ire verb that forms its present tense as mi riempio, ti riempi, si riempie, ci riempiamo, vi riempite, si riempiono. It is commonly used with a di-phrase to indicate what fills someone, for example, mi riempio di cibo (I fill myself with food) or si riempie di gioia (he/she becomes filled with joy). The verb can also describe a place or container becoming full, as in la stanza si è riempita di persone (the room filled up with people). In some contexts it conveys a sense of abundance or saturation, such as riempirsi di promesse (to fill one’s mouth with promises) or riempirsi di lavoro (to be filled with work).

Grammatical notes

Riempirsi often expresses a change of state and can appear with di + noun or with other complements, depending on meaning. It contrasts with riempire, which is typically transitive and used for directly filling an object (riempire una stanza, riempire un bicchiere). The reflexive form emphasizes the subject’s involvement in the process of becoming full.

Etymology

The verb derives from ri- plus empire, related to ri-empire ri- and the Latin root implere (to fill), forming a sense of filling or becoming filled again or completely.