Bedeutung
Expressing physical exhaustion or fatigue
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Jakarta, 'capek' is often linked to 'macet' (traffic). It's common to hear people say they are 'capek di jalan' (tired on the road), referring to the hours spent commuting. Indonesians often use 'capek' as a way to bond with coworkers. Complaining slightly about being tired is seen as being 'human' and approachable rather than unprofessional. There is a cultural belief that being too 'capek' makes you susceptible to 'masuk angin' (trapped wind). People who are 'capek' often seek a 'kerokan' (coin massage) to recover. The phrase 'Capek deh' was popularized by TV shows in the 2000s and remains a staple of Indonesian internet meme culture to express exasperation.
Drop the 'k' for street cred
In Jakarta, saying 'Aku cape' (without the k) makes you sound like a local.
Don't use 'adalah'
Remember: 'Saya capek', NOT 'Saya adalah capek'.
Bedeutung
Expressing physical exhaustion or fatigue
Drop the 'k' for street cred
In Jakarta, saying 'Aku cape' (without the k) makes you sound like a local.
Don't use 'adalah'
Remember: 'Saya capek', NOT 'Saya adalah capek'.
Use 'banget'
If you are really exhausted, 'banget' is the most natural intensifier to use after 'capek'.
The 'Capek Deh' gesture
When saying 'Capek deh!', you can lightly slap your forehead for extra emphasis.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'tired'.
Hari ini saya bekerja 10 jam. Saya ____.
Working for 10 hours makes you 'capek' (tired).
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am very tired' to a friend?
Choose the best option:
'Aku' and 'banget' are the perfect informal choices for a friend.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are stuck in a 2-hour traffic jam in Jakarta.
'Macet' means traffic jam, a common cause of being 'capek' in Indonesia.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kamu mau pergi ke mall? B: Maaf, tidak. Saya ____, mau istirahat saja.
'Istirahat' (rest) is what you do when you are 'capek'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Capek'
Physical
- • After running
- • After work
- • After cleaning
Mental
- • After studying
- • After meetings
- • After traffic
Emotional
- • After arguing
- • Capek hati
- • Fed up
Capek vs. Lelah
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHari ini saya bekerja 10 jam. Saya ____.
Working for 10 hours makes you 'capek' (tired).
Choose the best option:
'Aku' and 'banget' are the perfect informal choices for a friend.
Situation: You are stuck in a 2-hour traffic jam in Jakarta.
'Macet' means traffic jam, a common cause of being 'capek' in Indonesia.
A: Kamu mau pergi ke mall? B: Maaf, tidak. Saya ____, mau istirahat saja.
'Istirahat' (rest) is what you do when you are 'capek'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenNot at all! It's a neutral, everyday word. Just be careful not to sound like you're complaining too much to your boss.
'Capek' is for daily conversation. 'Lelah' is more formal, poetic, or used in writing.
Yes, it's perfectly polite. You might want to add 'Pak' or 'Bu' at the end: 'Saya capek, Pak.'
Just add 'tidak' before the word: 'Saya tidak capek.'
It's just a casual, shortened version common in Jakarta slang and texting.
It means being emotionally exhausted or 'fed up' with a situation or person.
You can say 'capek banget' or the slang word 'tepar'.
No, for a battery you would say 'lowbat' (slang) or 'habis baterai'. 'Capek' is only for living things.
No, Indonesian adjectives never change. 'Kami capek' (We are tired).
'Pegel' is a specific type of 'capek' that refers to muscle aches or stiffness.
The official dictionary (KBBI) spelling is 'capek', but 'cape' is very common informally.
Yes, 'merasa' means 'to feel'. It sounds a bit more descriptive and formal.
There isn't one direct word, but you could say 'segar' (fresh) or 'bersemangat' (energetic).
In Malaysia, 'penat' is the more common word for tired, though they understand 'capek' due to Indonesian media.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Saya lelah
synonymI am tired (formal/poetic)
Saya pegel
specialized formMy muscles are achy
Saya ngantuk
similarI am sleepy
Saya lemas
similarI feel weak/faint
Tepar
slangTo collapse from exhaustion
