しんどい

し

ん

ど

い

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

i-adjective

tired; exhausted; worn out

Describes physical or mental fatigue. Common in casual speech; originally Kansai dialect but now understood nationwide.

今日きょうは一いち日にち中じゅう歩あるいてしんどい。
I'm tired from walking all day today.
残ざん業ぎょう続つづきで体からだがしんどい。
My body is worn out from continuous overtime.

2

i-adjective

tiresome; draining; a hassle

Describes a situation or task that is mentally or physically draining, bothersome, or a pain to deal with. Often used when something feels like too much effort.

この仕し事ごと、ほんまにしんどいわ。
This job is really a hassle.
毎まい日にちの満まん員いん電でん車しゃがしんどい。
The crowded train every day is draining.

Written forms

しんどいUsage94%
Kana-only adjective; originally Kansai dialect but now widely used across Japan.
シンドイUsage6%

Similar words

疲つかれる
疲れる is a standard verb for 'to get tired' and is neutral in register. しんどい is an adjective that feels more casual and emotionally charged, often implying 'worn out' or 'fed up'.
だるい
だるい emphasizes a heavy, sluggish, or languid feeling, often from illness or lack of energy. しんどい can cover similar physical fatigue but also extends to mental drain and bothersome situations.

Etymology

Originally a Kansai dialect word. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it may be related to しん (core, heart) or a contraction of しに (from 死ぬ) + つらい, though this is speculative. Now widely used in casual Japanese.