Translation guide
How to express becoming physically or mentally drained in Japanese, from everyday tiredness to complete burnout.
Expressing that you have become tired or worn out from activity, work, or stress.
The most common and versatile verb for 'get tired' or 'become exhausted'. Can be used for both physical and mental fatigue.
I became really exhausted today.
I'm exhausted from work.
An onomatopoeic phrase meaning 'to become completely worn out' or 'exhausted'. More emphatic than 疲れる.
I walked all day and became exhausted.
Similar to くたくた, meaning 'to be dead tired' or 'exhausted'. Often used after physical exertion.
I became exhausted from moving house.
A stronger, more literary verb meaning 'to be completely exhausted' or 'worn out'. Implies reaching the limit of one's energy.
He became exhausted from the long journey.
Expressing that you have become mentally drained, burned out, or emotionally exhausted.
Literally 'to burn out', used metaphorically for mental or emotional burnout, similar to English 'burnout'.
I became completely burned out from work.
Explicitly states mental or emotional exhaustion. Useful when distinguishing from physical tiredness.
Describes a state of being limp or drained, often from mental or emotional fatigue. Can also be used for physical exhaustion.
I'm exhausted from stress.
Expressing that a supply, resource, or option has been used up or depleted.
疲れる is the standard, neutral way to say 'get tired'. くたくた and へとへと are more colloquial and emphatic, implying total exhaustion. Use 疲れる in most situations; use the others with friends or in casual writing.
English 'become exhausted' often translates to a single Japanese verb like 疲れる or an adjective + なる. Do not try to use 〜になる with every word; many Japanese expressions already include the sense of 'becoming'.
I became exhausted.
I became mentally exhausted from relationships.
食料が底をついた。
The food supplies became exhausted.