Translation guide
Describes the state of something becoming damaged, thin, or unusable through repeated use or age. Covers physical objects, clothing, machinery, and figurative exhaustion.
Express that clothes, shoes, or fabric have become thin, frayed, or damaged from use.
Intransitive verb meaning to wear out or become threadbare from friction. Commonly used for clothes, especially at cuffs, collars, or knees.
このシャツの襟が擦り切れてきた。
The collar of this shirt has become worn out.
Transitive verb meaning to wear something out through friction. Used when the subject causes the wearing out.
彼はジーンズの膝を擦り切らした。
He wore out the knees of his jeans.
Intransitive verb meaning to become worn out, shabby, or tired-looking. Often used for clothes or people.
このコートはもうくたびれている。
This coat is already worn out.
Express that mechanical parts, tools, or equipment have become worn down or damaged from use.
Technical term for wear and tear, abrasion, or erosion. Used for machine parts, tires, etc.
タイヤが摩耗している。
The tires are worn out.
Intransitive verb meaning to wear down or become worn away by friction. Used for soles of shoes, brake pads, etc.
靴底がすり減ってきた。
The soles of my shoes have become worn out.
Transitive verb meaning to wear something down. Less common in daily speech.
Express that everyday items have become shabby, tattered, or worn from age and use.
Intransitive verb meaning to look old or worn, often with a sense of age rather than damage. Used for furniture, books, etc.
このソファは古びてきた。
This sofa has become worn out.
Phrase meaning to become tattered, ragged, or falling apart. Emphasizes a state of disrepair.
その本はぼろぼろになった。
The book became worn out.
Express that a person is physically or mentally exhausted, drained, or worn down.
Intransitive verb meaning to be completely exhausted, worn out from fatigue.
彼は仕事で疲れ果てている。
He is worn out from work.
Casual phrase meaning to be dead tired, worn out. Often used after physical activity.
一日中歩いて、くたくたになった。
I walked all day and became worn out.
Casual phrase meaning to be exhausted, worn out. Similar to くたくた.
残業でへとへとになった。
I became worn out from overtime work.
擦り切れる is for fabric and clothing becoming threadbare, while 摩耗する is a technical term for mechanical wear like tires or bearings.
Do not use 擦り切れる or 摩耗する for people. Use exhaustion words like 疲れ果てる or くたくたになる.
彼はブレーキパッドをすり減らした。
He wore out the brake pads.