In 15 Seconds
- Means 'complete' or 'with all the extras' in daily life.
- Essential for ordering food with every topping included.
- Used at gas stations to mean 'fill it up'.
- Describes a state of total satisfaction or a full set.
Meaning
While it literally means 'complete', in Brazil it is the magic word for getting a hot dog or burger with 'the works'—all the toppings included. It also describes a feeling of being fully satisfied or having everything you need in a situation.
Key Examples
3 of 7At a street food stall
Eu quero um cachorro-quente completo, por favor.
I want a hot dog with everything, please.
At the gas station
Pode completar com gasolina comum.
You can fill it up with regular gas.
A professional setting
O relatório está completo e revisado.
The report is complete and reviewed.
Cultural Background
The 'X-Tudo' (Cheese-Everything) is the king of 'completo' culture. It often includes ham, egg, lettuce, tomato, corn, peas, and potato sticks. In SP, a 'completo' hot dog MUST have 'purê de batata' (mashed potatoes). Without it, many locals don't consider it complete. Cariocas often add 'ovo de codorna' (quail eggs) and 'uva passa' (raisins) to their 'completo' street food. In Portugal, 'completo' is used more formally. For street food, they are more likely to say 'com tudo'.
The 'Podrão' Rule
If you are at a street stall and don't know what to pick, just say 'Completo'. It's the safest way to look like a local.
Gender Agreement
Always check if you are talking about 'o lanche' (completo) or 'a refeição' (completa).
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'complete' or 'with all the extras' in daily life.
- Essential for ordering food with every topping included.
- Used at gas stations to mean 'fill it up'.
- Describes a state of total satisfaction or a full set.
What It Means
In its simplest form, completo means something is whole. It has no missing parts. If you buy a car completo, it has all the extras. If you order a snack completo, it has every topping available. It is about abundance and reaching the maximum version of something.
How To Use It
You will use this mostly as an adjective. Place it after the noun you are describing. Want a hot dog with corn, peas, and potato sticks? Just say um cachorro-quente completo. Feeling like your life is finally in order? Say me sinto completo. It is a very versatile word for daily life.
When To Use It
Use it at the gas station to fill the tank. Just tell the attendant: completo, por favor. Use it when checking into a hotel with all-inclusive meals. Use it in job interviews to describe your 'full' experience. It works perfectly when you want to emphasize that nothing is lacking.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it to describe people's personalities in a negative way. It is not for 'full of themselves'. Avoid using it for 'full' as in 'the room is full'—use cheio for that. If you just ate a big meal, don't say you are completo. Say you are satisfeito or cheio instead.
Cultural Background
Brazilians love the 'everything included' lifestyle. The X-Tudo (a burger with everything) is the ultimate expression of completo. It represents the generous, welcoming nature of Brazilian hospitality. If a party is completo, it means the food, music, and people are all perfect. It reflects a cultural desire for abundance and joy.
Common Variations
You might hear completinho in informal settings. This diminutive version sounds cute and affectionate. It is common at street food stalls. In business, you might hear serviço completo. This means a turnkey solution where the client does nothing. It is a word that signals quality and peace of mind.
Usage Notes
The word is highly flexible across all social classes. Remember to match the gender of the noun (o/a) and use the diminutive 'completinho' only in very casual, friendly food service situations.
The 'Podrão' Rule
If you are at a street stall and don't know what to pick, just say 'Completo'. It's the safest way to look like a local.
Gender Agreement
Always check if you are talking about 'o lanche' (completo) or 'a refeição' (completa).
Car Sales
In Brazil, 'completo' is a technical term in car sales meaning it has AC, power steering, and electric locks/windows.
Examples
7Eu quero um cachorro-quente completo, por favor.
I want a hot dog with everything, please.
This ensures you get all the toppings like corn and potato sticks.
Pode completar com gasolina comum.
You can fill it up with regular gas.
Using the verb form 'completar' to mean 'fill the tank'.
O relatório está completo e revisado.
The report is complete and reviewed.
Indicates the task is finished to a high standard.
Com você, meu mundo fica completo.
With you, my world is complete.
A romantic way to show deep appreciation.
Este carro é completo? Tem ar-condicionado?
Is this car fully loaded? Does it have AC?
In Brazil, 'completo' for cars usually implies AC and power steering.
Foi um fim de semana completo: praia, sol e amigos.
It was a perfect weekend: beach, sun, and friends.
Used to mean 'perfect' or 'having it all'.
Esse lanche é tão completo que precisa de um garfo!
This snack is so loaded you need a fork!
Humorous take on the massive size of 'complete' snacks.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'completo'.
Eu comprei uma coleção _______ de livros.
'Coleção' is a feminine singular noun.
Match the use of 'completo' to the correct context.
1. Carro completo / 2. Lanche completo / 3. Você me completa
These are the three primary figurative uses of the word.
What is the most natural response at a hot dog stand?
Atendente: 'Como você quer o seu cachorro-quente?' Cliente: '__________'
'Pode ser completo' is the standard way to accept all toppings.
Which sentence uses 'completo' in a figurative emotional sense?
Choose the correct option:
This refers to emotional fulfillment rather than physical fullness.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
O que é um 'Completo'?
No Lanche
- • Batata palha
- • Milho e ervilha
- • Vinagrete
No Carro
- • Ar-condicionado
- • Direção hidráulica
- • Vidro elétrico
Na Vida
- • Amor
- • Saúde
- • Trabalho
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu comprei uma coleção _______ de livros.
'Coleção' is a feminine singular noun.
1. Carro completo / 2. Lanche completo / 3. Você me completa
These are the three primary figurative uses of the word.
Atendente: 'Como você quer o seu cachorro-quente?' Cliente: '__________'
'Pode ser completo' is the standard way to accept all toppings.
Choose the correct option:
This refers to emotional fulfillment rather than physical fullness.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, you can say 'Minha lição de casa está completa', meaning you finished all the exercises.
Yes, but they use it less for street food. They prefer 'com tudo'.
The opposite is 'incompleto' (incomplete) or 'básico' (basic, for products).
No, for a gas tank, we say 'cheio'. 'Completo' would mean the car has all the accessories.
It's better to say 'Estou satisfeito' or 'Estou cheio'. 'Estou completo' sounds like a spiritual realization.
Related Phrases
Com tudo dentro
synonymWith everything inside
Caprichado
similarMade with extra care/toppings
Inteiro
similarWhole
Concluído
specialized formConcluded/Finished
Pleno
similarFull/Plenary
