Translation guide
Expresses being completely exhausted, physically or mentally. Japanese uses various verbs and adjectives to convey different nuances of fatigue, from casual spoken forms to more formal or written expressions.
To be completely worn out from physical activity or lack of rest.
Very common casual expression meaning 'to be exhausted' or 'worn out'. Often used after a long day or physical exertion.
今日は一日中歩いて、もうくたくただ。
I walked all day today and I'm completely exhausted.
To be exhausted from mental effort, stress, or emotional strain.
Literally 'mentally tired'. A straightforward way to express mental fatigue.
試験勉強で精神的に疲れた。
I'm mentally tired out from studying for exams.
To be worn out specifically due to sickness, fever, or hot weather.
Commonly used when someone is limp and weak from illness or heat exhaustion.
風邪でぐったりしている。
I'm tired out from a cold.
くたくた is general exhaustion, often from work or activity. へとへと emphasizes being out of breath or energy after physical exertion. ぐったり implies limpness, often from illness or heat. All are common in casual speech.
ジムでへとへとになった。
I got worn out at the gym.
熱でぐったりしている。
I'm limp with fever.
Direct translations like '疲れが出る' or '疲れ外' are incorrect. Use the expressions above to sound natural.
Verb meaning 'to be completely tired out'. Emphasizes the completion of the state of fatigue. Often used in past tense.
仕事で疲れ切って、何もする気が起きない。
I'm so tired out from work that I don't feel like doing anything.
Onomatopoeic expression for being physically worn out, often implying being out of breath or energy. Common in spoken Japanese.
階段を10階まで上って、へとへとになった。
I climbed the stairs to the 10th floor and got completely worn out.
Describes a state of limp exhaustion, often used when someone collapses or lies down from fatigue.
暑さでぐったりして、ソファから動けなかった。
I was so tired out from the heat that I couldn't move from the sofa.
Formal, literary term for extreme fatigue or exhaustion. Used in written language or formal contexts.
長時間の会議で疲労困憊した。
I was utterly exhausted from the long meeting.
Also used for mental exhaustion in casual speech, though primarily physical.
難しい問題を考えすぎて、頭がくたくただ。
I thought too much about the difficult problem and my brain is exhausted.
Similar to 疲れ切る but with a stronger nuance of being at the absolute limit, often used for mental or emotional exhaustion.
人間関係に疲れ果てて、一人になりたい。
I'm completely tired out by relationships and want to be alone.
Casual verb meaning to be exhausted or knocked out, often by summer heat (夏バテ).
暑さでばてて、食欲がない。
I'm tired out from the heat and have no appetite.