Translation guide
Expresses a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue, often to the point of being unable to continue. Japanese has many nuanced expressions depending on the cause, intensity, and register.
To say you are completely out of energy after physical exertion, work, or exercise.
A very common onomatopoeic word for being physically worn out, like after a long day of work or exercise. Casual and natural in conversation.
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.
Similar to くたくた, but often implies being so tired you can barely move. Frequently used after intense physical activity.
山登りでへとへとになった。
I'm completely exhausted from climbing the mountain.
A verb meaning 'to be exhausted to the limit'. Slightly more formal than onomatopoeic words, but still common in both speech and writing.
残業続きで疲れ果ててしまった。
I'm completely exhausted from all the overtime.
Describes a limp, drained state, often with a nuance of being so tired you collapse. Can be used for physical or mental exhaustion.
暑さでぐったりしている。
I'm completely exhausted from the heat.
To express extreme mental fatigue, stress, or emotional burnout.
Literally 'mentally exhausted'. A clear and direct way to express mental fatigue.
人間関係で精神的に疲れ果てた。
I'm completely exhausted from dealing with relationships.
Means 'to burn out', often used for burnout from work or overexertion. Carries a sense of having used up all one's energy.
仕事で燃え尽きてしまった。
I'm completely burned out from work.
Literally 'one's heart breaks', meaning to lose all motivation or spirit. Used when mental exhaustion leads to giving up.
何度も失敗して心が折れた。
I failed so many times I'm completely exhausted mentally.
To emphasize that you are so exhausted you might faint or cannot function.
Means 'about to collapse'. A vivid way to say you are completely exhausted, often used hyperbolically.
徹夜で倒れそうだ。
I'm so exhausted I could collapse after staying up all night.
A colloquial verb meaning to be worn out or exhausted to the point of being unable to continue. Often used in sports or physical labor contexts.
練習できつくてへばった。
I was completely exhausted from the tough practice.
All three mean 'exhausted', but くたくた is general fatigue, へとへと emphasizes inability to move, and ぐったり implies limpness or collapse. ぐったり can also describe sickness or heat exhaustion.
Directly translating 'completely exhausted' as 完全に疲れた (かんぜんにつかれた) is unnatural. Use the idiomatic expressions above instead.
A formal, four-character compound meaning extreme fatigue or prostration. Used in written language or formal speech.
長時間労働で疲労困憊だ。
I'm completely exhausted from long working hours.