completo
Lemma Details
Translation: complete; full; comprehensive; thorough; entire; total
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: From Latin 'completus', past participle of 'complere' meaning 'to fill up, complete', from 'com-' (intensive prefix) + 'plere' (to fill). The English cognate 'complete' shares the same Latin root. The concept of fullness or totality is embedded in both languages, with the Spanish maintaining a closer phonetic resemblance to the original Latin.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Necesito un informe completo para mañana.
I need a complete report for tomorrow.
El estadio estaba completo para el partido final.
The stadium was full for the final match.
Me siento completo cuando estoy con mi familia.
I feel complete when I'm with my family.
En Chile, pedí un completo con aguacate.
In Chile, I ordered a hot dog with avocado.
Mnemonics
- Think 'COM-PLETE-o' - it sounds very similar to the English 'complete'
- Visualize a plate that is 'completo' (full) with food versus one that is 'incompleto' (with missing items)
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'completo' is often used in restaurant contexts to describe a dish that comes with all standard accompaniments. In Chile specifically, 'un completo' is a popular hot dog with all the toppings (avocado, mayonnaise, tomato, etc.).
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Completo' is an adjective meaning 'complete' or 'full', while 'completado' is the past participle of the verb 'completar' (to complete).
Confused word:
He completado el formulario.
I have completed the form.
Notes: 'Completo' describes a state of being complete, while 'completado' refers to the action of having been completed.
Mnemonic: 'Completo' ends in 'o' like many adjectives, while 'completado' has the '-ado' ending typical of past participles.
Explanation: 'Completo' means 'complete' or 'full', while 'complexo' (more commonly 'complejo' in Spanish) means 'complex' or 'complicated'.
This word:
El curso es completo y cubre todos los temas.
The course is complete and covers all topics.
Confused word:
El problema es complejo y difícil de resolver.
The problem is complex and difficult to solve.
Notes: The word 'complexo' is more common in Portuguese; in Spanish, the standard form is 'complejo'.
Mnemonic: Think of 'completo' as having all parts (complete), while 'complejo' has many interconnected parts (complex).