Working in Japan can be very difficult. Many people work long hours and even have to work on the weekends. Karōshi (death by overwork) is a real thing in Japan. At the very least, business owners, company workers, and even students work hard and can get very tired.
Here’s how native Japanese speakers express their tiredness and the nuance of each term.
1. 疲れる (Tsukareru): Mentally or Physically To Get Tired
- Degree of Tiredness: ★★☆☆☆
- Frequency of Use: Very commonly used in daily conversation
- Politeness Level: Casual
- Who: Both men and women can use this expression. Generally used with people you are close with, such as family, friends, or co-workers you know well.
It is usually written in kanji like this: 疲れる
In Japanese, the verb 疲れる (tsukareru) is probably the most commonly used expression to say you feel tired. Different conjugated forms of this verb (present test, past test, progressive tense, etc.) can express a different nuance of feeling tired. Let’s look at each form to see their nuance and how they are used naturally in conversation.
Common 疲れる (Tsukareru) Variations:
Here are the most common verb tense/usages of 疲れる (tsukareru).
I. 疲れた (Tsukareta): (I’m) Tired
Out of all of the forms of 疲れる (tsukareru), the past tense form, 疲れた (tsukareta), is the most commonly used word to say “I’m tired.”
You’ll hear 疲れた being said in anime, movies, conversations, and even people saying it to themselves. This word focuses more on the process that made you tired rather than a state of being tired.
For example, “I finally finished grading all of my students’ tests! 疲れた!”
疲れた (tsukareta) is often paired with a time-related word, such as 今日 (kyō) =today or 最近 (saikin)= recently, etc.
If you are talking to someone with a higher social status than you, it would be better to use the polite masu-form of this word: 疲れました (tsukaremashita).
You can also use 疲れた to say that specific body parts are tired (examples 3 & 4 below).
Examples:
1a. 今日は忙しかったから疲れた。 (Casual Version)
(Kyō wa isogashikatta kara tsukareta.)
Today, I was busy, so I’m tired.
1b. 今日は忙しかったので疲れました。(Polite Version)
(Kyō wa isogasikatta node tsukaremashita.)
Today, I was busy, so I’m tired.
2a. 今日はサッカーの試合があったから疲れた。
(Kyō wa sakkā no shiai ga attakara tsukareta.)
Today I had a soccer game, so I’m tired.
2b. 今日はサッカーの試合があったので疲れました。
(Kyō wa sakkā no shiai ga attanode tsukaremashita.)
Today I had a soccer game, so I’m tired.
3. テレビの見過ぎで目が疲れた。
(Terebi no misugi de me ga tsukareta.)
I watched TV for too long, so my eyes are tired.
4. 歩き過ぎで足が疲れた。
(Arukisugi de ashi ga tsukareta.)
I walked too much, and now my legs are tired.
II. 疲れる (Tsukareru): To Get Tired
疲れる (tsukareru) is the verb in plain/dictionary form. It is used to describe things that will make you tired, or things that are tiring to do.
Eample Sentences:
1. テレビを見過ぎると目が疲れる。
(Terebi o misugiru to me ga tsukareru.)
Too much watching TV makes my eyes tired.
2. 歩き過ぎると足が疲れる。
(Arukisugiru to ashi ga tsukareru.)
Walking too much makes my legs tired.
Examples – Dialogue 1:
健史: ジョギングしに行かない？
Takeshi: (Jogingu shi ni ikanai?)
Takeshi: Why don’t we go jogging together?
美紀: 何キロくらい走る予定？
Miki: (Nan kiro kurai hashiru yotei?)
Miki: How many kilometers do you plan to jog?
健史: 10キロくらいかな？
Takeshi: (Jukkiro kurai kana?)
Takeshi: I’m planning to jog about 10 kilometers.
美紀: そんなに走ったら疲れるよ。
Miki: (Sonna ni hashittara tsukareru yo.)
Miki: I’m going to get tired if I run that much.
Dialogue 2:
道子: 毎日ジムに行ってるんだって？
Michiko: (Mainichi jimu ni itterun datte?)
Michiko: I heard that you go to the gym every day.
健史: うん。毎日１時間くらい運動してから会社に行ってるよ。
Takeshi: (Un. Mainichi ichijikan kurai undō shitekara kaisha ni itteru yo.)
Takeshi: Yes, I work out for about one hour before work.
道子: 信じられない！会社に行く前にそんなに運動したら疲れるでしょう。私には無理だな。
Michiko: (Shinjirarenai! Kaisha ni iku mae ni sonna ni undō shitara tsukareru deshō. Watashi ni wa muri da na.)
That’s unbelievable! If you work out that much before work, you’ll get tired, right? I can’t do that.
III. 疲れている (Tsukareteiru): I Have Been Tired
This is the progressive tense of 疲れる, meaning “I’m currently tired (right now).” You would think this is the word to use when you feel tired (My current feeling is tiredness). You can use it to describe feeling tired right now, but it’s more often used to describe feeling tired over a period of time. For example, you would use 疲れている (tsukareteiru) to describe feeling tired this past month due to working overtime every week.
So when you want to refer to a continuous state of being tired, 疲れている (tsukareteiru) is more suitable than 疲れた (tsukareta).
Examples – Dialogue 1:
道子: 眠たそうだね。どうしたの？
Michiko: (Nemutasō da ne. Dōshita no?)
Michiko: You look sleepy. What’s wrong?
健史: 最近あまり寝ていないから、疲れているんだよ。
Takeshi: (Saikin amari neteinai kara tsukareteirun da yo.)
Takeshi: I haven’t been sleeping much, so I’ve been tired lately.
Dialogue 2:
綾子: 最近忙しそうだけど大丈夫？
Ayako: (Saikin isogashisō dakedo daijyōbu?)
Ayako: You look very busy these days. Are you okay?
聡:もうすぐテストがあるから、毎日勉強が大変で、疲れているよ。
Satoshi: (Mō sugu tesuto ga aru kara mainichi benkyō ga taihen de tsukareteiru yo.)
Satoshi: I’ve been tired because I have been studying hard for my upcoming tests.
2. くたびれる (Kutabireru): Mentally or Physically Drained
- Tiredness Level: ★★☆☆☆
- Frequency of Use: Relatively common in daily conversations
- Politeness Level: Casual
- Who: Both men and women can use this expression. Generally used with people you are close with, such as family, friends, and co-workers you have a close relationship with.
- While it can be written in kanji (草臥れる), it is usually written in hiragana like this: くたびれる.
Let’s look at the different forms of くたびれる (kutabireru) and their nuance.
Common くたびれる (Kutabireru) Variations
Here are the common verb tenses/usages of くたびれる (kutabireru) in Japanese:
I. くたびれた (Kutabireta): I’m Tired
くたびれた (kutabireta) is the past tense of くたびれる (kutabireru).
It has the same meaning as 疲れた (tsukareta) when talking about how tired we are physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The past tense form is probably the most commonly used in daily conversation.
Examples:
1. ハイキングに行ったらくたびれた。
(Haikingu ni ittara kutabireta.)
I’m tired because I went hiking.
2. 今日はサッカーの試合でくたびれた。
(Kyō wa sakkā no shiai de kutabireta.)
I’m tired because I had a soccer game today.
II. くたびれる (Kutabireru): To Get Tired, To Be Exhausted
くたびれる (kutabireru) is the present tense and is used to describe things that make you tired. Using this word usually means that you don’t currently feel tired but will become exhausted if you do a specific activity or action.
Examples:
1. たくさんの人に会うのはくたびれる。
(Takusan no hito ni au no wa kutabireru.)
Meeting with many people makes me tired.
2. 会議に出席するのはくたびれる。
(Kaigi ni shusseki suru no wa kutabireru.)
Attending meetings makes me tired.
III. くたびれている (Kutabireteiru): I Have Been Tired
くたびれている (kutabireteiru) is in the progressive tense and is used to describe times when you have been continuously tired over a period of time.
Examples:
1. 健二は仕事でくたびれている。
(Kenji wa shigoto de kutabireteiru.)
He is tired because of his job.
疲れる (Tsukareru) Vs. くたびれる (Kutabireru)
While the level of tiredness these two words describe is similar, 疲れる is more commonly used in everyday conversations. Since くたびれる is not used as frequently as 疲れる, it sounds stronger (more tired) when said in conversations.
Also, くたびれる can be used to describe inanimate objects like clothes. It would take on the meaning of “worn out” in this case. However, this word is usually not used to describe body parts that are tired.
Not Natural:
目がくたびれる。
(Me ga kutabireru.)
My eyes are tired.
While not technically wrong, using くたびれる to describe body parts sounds a little weird. 疲れる (tsukareru) / 疲れた (tsukareta) would be a better choice to say that your eyes are tired.
Correct:
くたびれる can be used to describe inanimate objects like this:
1. 道子: 随分くたびれたトレーナー着ているのね。
Michiko: (Zuibun kutabireta torēnā kiteirunone.)
Michiko: You are wearing such a worn-out sweatshirt.
健二: くたびれているけど、気に入っているんだよ。
Kenji: (Kutabireteiru kedo ki ni itteirun da yo.)
Kenji: I know it’s worn out, but I love it.
2. 道子: そのスニーカーだいぶくたびれているから、新しいのを買ったら？
Michiko: (Sono sunīkā daibu kutabireteiru kara atarashii no o kattara?)
Michiko: Your sneakers are worn out. Why don’t you buy a new one?
健史: 毎日走っているから、すぐにくたびれるんだよ。
Kenji: (Mainichi hashitteiru kara suguni kutabirerun da yo.)
Kenji: I run every day, so it wears out soon.
3. ヘトヘト/ クタクタ (Hetoheto/Kutakuta): (Mentally or Physically): Exhausted
Tiredness Level: ★★★☆☆
- Frequency of Use: Commonly used in daily conversations
- Politeness Level: Casual
- Who: Generally used with people you are close with, such as family and friends. Both men and women can use this expression.
- It is often written in katakana.
You can use this expression when you are exhausted and feel you can’t even move anymore. ヘトヘト (hetoheto) and クタクタ (kutakuta) are onomatopeia for tired.
Examples:
1. 加奈子は子供たちの世話でヘトヘト / クタクタだ。
(Kanako wa kodomotachi no sewa de hetoheto / kutakuta da.)
Kanako is worn out from taking care of her children.
2. 今日は一日中仕事で外回りをしていたからヘトヘト / クタクタだよ。
(Kyō wa ichinichijyū shigoto de sotomawari o shiteita kara hetoheto / kutakuta da yo.)
I was out of the office all day for work, so I’m exhausted.
クタクタ (kutakuta) can also be used to describe the condition of overcooked vegetables or tattered clothes.
3. 食器を洗っている間に、茹でていたほうれん草がクタクタになってしまった。
(Shokki o aratteiru aida ni yudeteita hōrensō ga kutakuta ni natte shimatta.)
I overcooked the spinach while I was washing dishes.
4. 聡はいつもクタクタの服を着ている。
(Satoshi wa itsumo kutakuta no fuku o kiteiru.)
Satoshi is always wearing tattered clothes.
4. ぐったり/ グッタリ(Guttari): Mentally or Physically Exhausted
- Tiredness Level: ★★★★☆
- Frequency of Use: Very commonly used (daily conversation)
- Politeness Level: Casual
- Who: Both men and women can use this expression. Generally used only with people you are close with, such as family and friends.
- It is written in both hiragana and katakana.
You can use this expression when you are so tired that you feel like you can’t even move anymore. The nuance of this expression is that you used up all of your energy and strength.
Examples:
1. 彼は３日間も高熱が続いてグッタリしていた。
(Kare wa mikkakan mo kōnetsu ga tsuzuite guttari shiteita.)
He had a high fever for three days, so he was exhausted.
2. 聡は２日間徹夜で勉強していたので、グッタリしている。
(Satoshi wa futsukakan tetsuya de benkyō shiteita no de guttari shiteiru.)
Satoshi pulled two all-nighters to study, so he is exhausted.
5. 体に堪える (Karada Ni Kotaeru): Can’t Physically Take ~ / Physically Exhausted
- Tiredness Level: ★★★★☆
- Frequency of Use: Commonly used in daily conversations
- Politeness Level: Formal
- Who: Both men and women can use this expression. Using this expression with anyone, including people of high social status or strangers, is okay. However, it may not be appropriate to tell your boss you’re physically exhausted (or maybe it is!)
- It is usually written in kanji.
The kanji character “堪” has a meaning of “to endure” or to bear.”
While 体に堪える (karada ni kotaeru) is in the affirmative tense, this expression actually means that your body can’t take anymore. Your body is at its physical limits. In plain terms, you are exhausted.
This expression can also be used when your body can’t withstand extreme heat or cold temperatures.
Examples:
1. 孫と公園で遊ぶのは体に堪える。
(Mago to kōen de asobu no wa karada ni kotaeru.)
Playing with my grandchildren in the park is exhausting.
2. 寒さが体に堪える。
(Samusa ga karada ni kotaeru.)
My body can’t take the cold.
6. 疲れ果てる (Tsukare Hateru): To Be Mentally or Physically Burned Out
- Tiredness Level: ★★★★★
- Frequency of Use: Very commonly used in daily conversations
- Politeness Level: Formal
- Who: Both men and women can use this expression. It is okay to use this expression with people you are close with, even if they have a higher social status than you. You can also use this expression with people you have just met.
- It is often written in kanji.
Common 疲れ果てる (Tsukare Hateru) Variations
Here are the common ways 疲れ果てる (tsukare hateru) is used in Japanese.
I. 疲れ果てた (Tsukare Hateta): Feeling Burnt Out/ Worn Out
疲れ果てる (tsukare hateru) is often used in the past tense, 疲れ果てた (tsukare hateta).
It has the nuance of being so exhausted that you can’t move or even think anymore.
果てる (hateru) can be used as an auxiliary verb to indicate an extreme condition has been reached (to do something to the extreme). 疲れ果てる (tsukare hateru) means that someone is exhausted and that person has reached their limit.
Examples:
1. 炎天下の中歩き回って疲れ果てた。
(Entenka no naka arukimawatte tsukarehateta.)
I’m absolutely worn out from walking around in this blazing heat.
2. 長期出張で疲れ果てた。
(Chōki shucchō de tsukarehateta.)
I’m burnt out from my long business trip.
II. 疲れ果てている (Tsukare Hateteiru): I Have Been Burned Out
This is used to refer to a continuous state of being tired over a period of time.
Examples:
1. 智子は母親の介護で疲れ果てている。
(Tomoko wa hahaoya no kaigo de tsukare hateteiru.)
Tomoko is exhausted from caring for her mother.
2. 健二は毎日残業続きで疲れ果てています。
(Kenji wa mainichi zangyō tsuzuki de tsukare hateteimasu.)
Kenji is burned out from working overtime every day.
7. バタンキュー (Batan-Kyū ): Passing Out From Exhaustion
- Tiredness Level: ★★★★★
- Frequency of Use: These days, this expression is not used so often
- Politeness Level: Very Casual
- Who: Both men and women can use this expression. Generally used with people you are close with, like friends and family.
- It is often written in katakana.
バタン(batan) is the sound of you falling on your bed or sofa, and キュー (kyū) is an onomatopeia which expresses the state of being weakened or losing consciousness. Together, these two words mean that you are so exhausted that you pass out as soon as your head hits your pillow.
Examples:
1. 昨日は野球の試合で疲れていて、家に帰ったらバタンキューだった。
(Kinō wa yakyū no shiai de tsukareteite ieni kaettara batan-kyū datta.)
I was so exhausted from the baseball game yesterday I fell asleep as soon as I got home.
2. 昨日は飲み過ぎちゃって家に帰ったらバタンキューだった。
(Kinō wa nomisugichatte ie ni kaettara batan-kyū datta.)
Since I drank too much yesterday, I was out like a light as soon as I got home.
8. もう無理 (Mō Muri): I Give Up, I Can’t Go On
- Tiredness Level: ★★★★★
- Frequency of Use: Very commonly used (daily conversation)
- Politeness Level: Casual
- Who: Generally used with people you are close with, such as friends and family. Both men and women can use this expression.
- もう is always written in hiragana, and 無理 is usually written in kanji.
This expression is used when you are so exhausted and don’t want to do anything anymore. もう無理 (mō muri) means “Can’t do it anymore.” This expression can also express being so fed up or frustrated with something that you can’t put up with it.
Examples:
1. 先生: みんな！今日はあともう５キロ走るぞ！
Sensei: ( Minna! Kyō wa ato mō gokiro hashiru zo!)
Teacher: Everyone! We’re going to run 5 more kilometers today!
生徒: もう無理！
Seito: (Mō muri!)
Students: We can’t do it anymore!
2. ただでさえ宿題が多いのに、先生が宿題を追加したんだよ！信じられない！もう無理！
(Tada desae shukudai ga ooi noni, sensei ga shukudai o tsuika shitan dayo! Shinjirarenai! Mō muri!)
Even though I already had a lot of homework, my teacher gave me more! I can’t believe it! I can’t do it anymore! (I’m exhausted!)
9.憔悴する (Shōsui Suru): Drained, Emaciated, Be Devastated From Exhaustion (Mentally)
- Tiredness Level: ★★★★★
- Frequency of Use: Used in formal conversation
- Politeness Level: Formal
- Who: Both men and women can use this expression. Generally used in formal writings, literature, newspapers, etc.
- It is usually written in kanji.
憔 (shō) means your heart hurts so much that it feels like it’s burning.
悴 (sui) means something hurts so much that it feels as if your heart gets smaller.
So, 憔悴する(shōsui suru) means that you feel so drained from your heart constantly being hurt.
Examples:
1. 交通事故で奥さんを亡くして、智也は憔悴している。
(Kōtsū jiko de okusan o nakushite Tomoya wa shōshui shiteiru.)
Tomoya lost his wife in an accident, and he is devastated.
2. 離婚寸前で彼は憔悴している。
(Rikon sunzen de kare wa shōshui shiteiru.)
On the verge of divorce, he is completely worn out.)
