Translation guide
Expresses that something is completely consumed, exhausted, or depleted. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being used up (money, time, energy, supplies, etc.) and whether the focus is on the thing being used up or the person using it.
To say that a supply, resource, or money has been completely consumed or exhausted.
General verb meaning 'to run out' or 'to be used up'. Focuses on the thing disappearing. Used for money, time, supplies, etc.
お金がなくなった。
The money has been used up.
ガソリンがなくなりそうだ。
We're about to run out of gas.
Transitive verb meaning 'to use up completely'. Emphasizes the action of using something until it's gone. The subject is the person using it.
インクを使い切った。
I used up the ink.
今月の予算を使い切ってしまった。
I've used up this month's budget.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be exhausted' or 'to run out'. Often used for abstract things like patience, ideas, or resources. More formal/literary than なくなる.
Transitive verb meaning 'to use up completely' or 'to exhaust'. Stronger than 使い切る, implying total depletion, often with a sense of regret or finality.
貯金を使い果たした。
I used up all my savings.
To express that one's physical or mental energy, strength, or patience has been exhausted.
Means 'to be completely exhausted' or 'worn out'. Used for physical or mental fatigue.
一日中働いて疲れ果てた。
I worked all day and am completely used up.
Means 'patience runs out'. Used when one's patience or perseverance is exhausted.
根気が尽きて、やめてしまった。
My patience was used up, so I quit.
To say that time has run out or been completely consumed.
Common phrase meaning 'time runs out' or 'time is used up'.
時間がなくなってきた。
We're running out of time.
Noun meaning 'time's up' or 'out of time'. Often used in tests, games, or deadlines.
時間切れで終了です。
Time is up; it's over.
なくなる is intransitive and focuses on the thing disappearing (e.g., お金がなくなった 'The money is gone'). 使い切る is transitive and focuses on the person using it up (e.g., お金を使い切った 'I used up the money'). Choose based on what you want to emphasize.
ガソリンがなくなった。
The gas ran out.
ガソリンを使い切った。
I used up the gas.
English 'be used up' is passive, but Japanese often uses intransitive verbs like なくなる or 尽きる instead of a direct passive. Using a passive form like 使われる would sound unnatural.
Literally 'strength runs out'. Means to be completely exhausted or to collapse from exhaustion.
彼は力尽きて倒れた。
He collapsed, completely used up.