German Phrase
Mein Mäppchen ist voll.
Meaning
Literally, ‘My little pencil case is full.’ It conveys that the speaker’s small school bag for pens, pencils, and other stationery items has no more space left.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to comment on a full pencil case, for example after a long drawing session, when you need to buy new supplies, or when a friend asks if you have room for more pens.
✦Grammar Breakdown
MeinMäppchenistvoll
Possessive Pronoun (mein)
‘Mein’ is the nominative masculine/neuter possessive pronoun meaning ‘my’. It agrees with the noun’s gender and case.
Diminutive Noun (Mäppchen)
‘Mäppchen’ is a neuter noun formed with the diminutive suffix –chen, giving a small‑or‑cute nuance (pencil case).
Verb ‘sein’ (ist)
‘ist’ is the 3rd‑person singular present of ‘sein’ (to be) and is used for identity, state or condition.
Predicative Adjective (voll)
When used after ‘sein’, ‘voll’ stays uninflected and simply describes the state of the subject.
🗨In Conversation
Dein Mäppchen sieht ganz voll aus.
Your pencil case looks completely full.
Ja, mein Mäppchen ist voll.
Yes, my pencil case is full.
✕Common Mistakes
Meinen Mäppchen ist voll.
‘Meinen’ is accusative; the subject needs the nominative ‘Mein’.
Das mein Mäppchen ist voll.
Do not combine the article with the possessive pronoun (e.g., *‘das mein Mäppchen’*).
Mein Mäppchen ist volles.
When ‘voll’ follows ‘sein’, it stays uninflected; ‘volles’ would be wrong here.
↔Alternatives
Mein Federmäppchen ist voll.
My pen case is full.
Mein Mäppchen ist bis zum Rand gefüllt.
My pencil case is filled to the brim.
Ich habe kein Platz mehr im Mäppchen.
I have no more space in the pencil case.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking schools, especially in Austria and southern Germany, ‘Mäppchen’ is the everyday word for a small stationery case. The diminutive –chen adds a friendly, informal tone. Remember that ‘voll’ describes a state of being full; it is not used for people (e.g., you wouldn’t say ‘Ich bin voll’ unless you mean ‘I’m drunk’).