γεμίζω is both transitive “fill” and intransitive “fill up.” That makes it a clear labile verb: Greek changes the participants without changing the active voice, just as English does in I filled the glass / the glass filled up.
Principal parts
| Slot | Form | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Present | γεμίζω, γεμίζεις, γεμίζει, γεμίζουμε, γεμίζετε, γεμίζουν | |
| Imperfect | γέμιζα | |
| Aorist | γέμισα | |
| Dependent | γεμίσω | |
| Imperative | γέμισε / γεμίστε | |
| Perfect | έχω γεμίσει | |
| Gerund | γεμίζοντας | |
| Mediopassive | γεμίζεται; aorist γεμίστηκε | true passive; aorist is marginal |
| -μένος participle | γεμισμένος | having been filled |
| Separate intransitive stem | does not exist | the active itself means “fill up” |
One active form, two participant patterns
With a direct object, the subject causes the change. Without one, the container or space undergoes it. The second pattern is not passive: no external agent is implied.
This active alternation belongs to the wider system of active/passive verb pairs.
Γέμισα το ποτήρι με νερό και το άφησα στο γραφείο σου.
yémisa to potíri me neró ke to áfisa sto ghrafío su
I filled the glass with water and left it on your desk.
Το ποτήρι γέμισε μέχρι πάνω σε λίγα δευτερόλεπτα.
to potíri yémise méchri páno se lígha dhefterólepta
The glass filled to the top in a few seconds.
The true passive remains live when someone or some process deliberately performs the filling. γεμίζεται is ordinary in instructions and descriptions; γεμίστηκε occurs but is less usual than an active alternative.
This asymmetry is lexical, not a reason to erase the passive from the paradigm. The active change-of-state construction is simply the unmarked everyday choice when no filler or external agent matters.
Το δοχείο γεμίζεται από αυτή τη μικρή βαλβίδα.
to dhochío yemízete apó aftí ti mikrí valvídha
The container is filled through this small valve.
Το κενό γεμίστηκε με μονωτικό υλικό πριν κλείσει ο τοίχος.
to kenó yemístike me monotikó ilikó prin klísi o tíchos
The gap was filled with insulating material before the wall was closed. (less usual passive)
Three related adjectives
| Form | Core meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| γεμάτος | full: a state | το ποτήρι είναι γεμάτο |
| γεμιστός | stuffed | γεμιστές πιπεριές; τα γεμιστά |
| γεμισμένος | having been filled | μαξιλάρια γεμισμένα με πούπουλα |
Το μαγαζί ήταν γεμάτο κόσμο και περιμέναμε έξω.
to maghazí ítan yemáto kózmo ke periméname ékso
The restaurant was packed, so we waited outside.
Τα μαξιλάρια είναι γεμισμένα με πούπουλα χήνας.
ta maksilária íne yemizména me púpula chínas
The cushions are filled with goose feathers.
Η γιαγιά έφτιαξε γεμιστές πιπεριές για το μεσημέρι.
i yayá éftiakse yemistés piperiés ya to mesiméri
Grandma made stuffed peppers for lunch.
γεμάτος is the everyday state adjective; γεμισμένος highlights the result of an act. Neither is wrong, but they answer different questions.
All three adjectives agree with their noun.
Government
- Accusative container: γεμίζω το ποτήρι.
- με + accusative filler: το γεμίζω με νερό.
- Intransitive nominative subject: η αίθουσα γέμισε.
- γεμάτος + bare accusative: γεμάτος κόσμο, the everyday default; με is also possible.
Γέμισε το ρεζερβουάρ με βενζίνη και έλεγξε τα λάστιχα.
yémise to rezervuár me venzíni ke élenkse ta lásticha
Fill the tank with petrol and check the tyres.
Set phrases
| γέμισε ο τόπος | the place became overrun |
| γεμίζω τις μπαταρίες μου | recharge my batteries (informal) |
| δεν μου γεμίζει το μάτι | does not inspire confidence (informal) |
| γεμάτο φεγγάρι | full moon |
| τα γεμιστά | stuffed vegetables as a dish |
Common Mistakes
The verb-specific agreement trap belongs to γεμάτος, not to the verb form itself.
❌ Η αίθουσα ήταν γεμάτο κόσμο.
Incorrect—γεμάτος must agree with the feminine noun αίθουσα.
✅ Η αίθουσα ήταν γεμάτη κόσμο.
i éthusa ítan yemáti kózmo
The hall was full of people.
Key Takeaways
- γεμίζω · γέμιζα · γέμισα · να γεμίσω · γέμισε · έχω γεμίσει.
- Active γεμίζω is labile: Γέμισα το ποτήρι / Το ποτήρι γέμισε.
- The true passive γεμίζεται / γεμίστηκε and participle γεμισμένος are real; do not confuse them with the state adjective γεμάτος or food adjective γεμιστός.
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