Translation guide
How to express running out of something in Japanese, from everyday items to abstract resources like time or patience.
You no longer have something because you used it all up.
Common verb meaning to run out of something, often used for household supplies or ingredients.
We've run out of soy sauce.
We ran out of coffee, so I'm going to buy some.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be gone' or 'to run out'. Used when the focus is on the thing disappearing.
We ran out of gas.
I ran out of money.
Intransitive verb meaning to be exhausted or used up. Often used for resources like time, money, or patience.
We ran out of funds.
I've run out of ideas.
Transitive verb meaning to use up completely. Emphasizes the action of using until nothing is left.
We've used up this month's budget.
You have no more time left to do something.
You can no longer tolerate something or have lost your motivation.
切らす is transitive and focuses on the person running out of something (often household items). なくなる is intransitive and focuses on the thing disappearing. Use 切らす when you want to say 'we ran out of X', and なくなる when you want to say 'X ran out'.
We ran out of rice. (focus on our action/state)
The rice is gone. (focus on the rice)
Do not translate 'run out of' literally as 走り出る or similar. It will not be understood.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'the string of one's patience pouch snaps', i.e., to lose one's temper.
I finally ran out of patience.