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.
The most direct and common verb for using up a resource completely, often implying nothing is left.
We exhausted all our food supplies.
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.
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.
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.
I was exhausted by work.
We've exhausted our funds.
ガソリンが尽きた。
The gas ran out.
We exhausted all topics of conversation.
We exhausted the budget.
The work exhausted him.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'to wear someone out' or 'to make someone dog-tired'.
The move exhausted me.
Means to drain energy or wear down, often used for prolonged effort or stress.
The long meeting exhausted his energy.
Similar to くたくた, meaning to make someone completely worn out. Slightly more emphatic.
The mountain climbing exhausted me.