Translation guide
The English verb 'exhaust' has two main meanings: to use up a resource completely, and to make someone extremely tired. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for both.
To consume or deplete a supply, resource, or possibility entirely.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to run out' or 'to be exhausted'. Used when the focus is on the resource itself being depleted.
Similar to 使い果たす but often implies using something up intentionally or within a planned limit.
Formal term for depletion of natural resources or abstract supplies. Often used in written or technical contexts.
石油資源が枯渇しつつある。
Oil resources are being exhausted.
To cause someone to become very fatigued, physically or mentally.
Causative form of 疲れ果てる (to be exhausted). Emphasizes that something causes complete exhaustion.
その仕事は彼を疲れ果てさせた。
The work exhausted him.
English 'exhaust' in the sense of tiring someone is often better expressed with intransitive phrases like 疲れ果てる (to become exhausted) rather than direct causative forms. For example, 'The work exhausted me' is more naturally 仕事で疲れ果てた than 仕事が私を疲れ果てさせた.
仕事で疲れ果てた。
I was exhausted by work.
The most direct and common verb for using up a resource completely, often implying nothing is left.
食料をすべて使い果たした。
We exhausted all our food supplies.
資金を使い果たしてしまった。
We've exhausted our funds.
The gas ran out.
話題が尽きた。
We exhausted all topics of conversation.
予算を使い切った。
We exhausted the budget.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'to wear someone out' or 'to make someone dog-tired'.
引っ越しでくたくたになった。
The move exhausted me.
Means to drain energy or wear down, often used for prolonged effort or stress.
長い会議が彼の体力を消耗させた。
The long meeting exhausted his energy.
Similar to くたくた, meaning to make someone completely worn out. Slightly more emphatic.
山登りでへとへとになった。
The mountain climbing exhausted me.