Lleno vs. repleto vs. abarrotado vs. atestado
The Spanish words lleno, repleto, abarrotado, and atestado all describe spaces that are full, but they vary in intensity and connotation. While lleno is the standard and most neutral translation for "full", the other three express higher degrees of being crowded or packed, ranging from completely filled to uncomfortably overcrowded.
Lleno
The word lleno is the most general and neutral term, directly translating to "full". It means that a space has reached its capacity, but it does not necessarily imply that people are squeezed together or uncomfortable. It is widely used for both people and objects.
El restaurante está lleno esta noche.
(The restaurant is full tonight.)
El vaso está lleno de agua fría.
(The glass is full of cold water.)
El autobús iba lleno, así que tuvimos que esperar al siguiente.
(The bus was full, so we had to wait for the next one.)
La plaza estaba llena de turistas tomando fotos.
(The square was full of tourists taking photos.)
Repleto
The word repleto translates to "completely full", "stuffed", or "replete". It is a step up from lleno in intensity, indicating that a space is filled to the absolute brim, leaving very little room. It generally carries a positive or neutral tone.
El estadio estaba repleto de aficionados apoyando a su equipo.
(The stadium was completely full of fans supporting their team.)
Trajo una maleta repleta de ropa de invierno.
(He brought a suitcase stuffed with winter clothes.)
La sala de conferencias lucía repleta para la presentación principal.
(The conference room looked packed for the main presentation.)
El mercado dominical siempre está repleto de vendedores locales.
(The Sunday market is always full to the brim with local vendors.)
Abarrotado
The word abarrotado means "crammed", "packed", or "jam-packed". It implies a high physical density where people or things are squeezed tightly together. It is very commonly used to describe busy public places like bars, concerts, or stores where movement becomes difficult.
El bar estaba tan abarrotado que apenas podíamos movernos.
(The bar was so crammed that we could barely move.)
Las calles están abarrotadas durante el festival de música.
(The streets are jam-packed during the music festival.)
Encontró el centro comercial abarrotado por las compras de última hora.
(She found the mall packed due to last-minute shopping.)
El metro va abarrotado en la hora punta de la mañana.
(The subway is packed tight during the morning rush hour.)
Atestado
The word atestado means "overcrowded" and often carries a slightly negative connotation of discomfort, chaos, or being dangerously full. It is used when the number of people exceeds a safe or comfortable limit, making the environment overwhelming or unpleasant.
El hospital estaba atestado de pacientes después del accidente.
(The hospital was overcrowded with patients after the accident.)
No me gusta viajar en trenes atestados durante el verano.
(I do not like traveling in overcrowded trains during the summer.)
La prisión se encuentra en un estado atestado e inaceptable.
(The prison is in an overcrowded and unacceptable state.)
Tuvieron que cerrar las puertas porque el club ya estaba atestado.
(They had to close the doors because the club was already overcrowded.)
Summary
In short, use lleno for a general "full", and repleto for a space that is "completely full" to the brim. When a place is "crammed" with people squeezed tightly together, use abarrotado, and reserve atestado for situations that are "overcrowded" to the point of discomfort, chaos, or excess.