relleno
/reˈʝeno/
The Spanish word relleno means filling or stuffing.
relleno refers to a food mixture used to fill the inside of another food item. This term is versatile and applies to both liquid-based mixtures, such as a sauce-based filling and solid mixtures like meat or vegetable stuffing. You can specify the type of filling by using the phrase relleno de.
What does it mean word for word?
The word relleno is derived from the verb rellenar, which means to fill.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is rellenos to match masculine nouns. If the word is used as an adjective to describe a feminine noun, it changes to rellena, such as in the phrase una empanada rellena.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈʝeno/
Did you know?
- In a professional or administrative context, rellenar a form means to fill it out or complete it.
- The word relleno shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'full'. Both words trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *pleh₁-, meaning 'to fill'.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, particularly in sports or media, relleno can refer to 'benchwarmers' or players who are only included to complete a team roster.
Examples in context
- relleno de carneMeat filling
- relleno de quesoCheese filling
- La almohada está rellena de plumas.The pillow is filled with feathers.
- relleno de chocolateChocolate-filled
- El relleno de la empanada está muy rico.The filling of the empanada is very delicious.
- Me gusta el relleno de chocolate de este pan.I like the chocolate filling of this bread.
- Necesitamos preparar el relleno para las lasañas.We need to prepare the filling for the lasagnas.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are cooking together in the kitchen.
- María¿Ya terminaste de cocinar el relleno?Did you finish cooking the filling?
- DanielSí, María, el relleno ya está listo.Yes, María, the filling is ready.
- MaríaPerfecto, entonces podemos rellenar los tacos.Perfect, then we can fill the tacos.
- DanielMe parece una excelente idea.That sounds like an excellent idea to me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry relleno, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries relleno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
