消耗 in 30 Sekunden
- 消耗 (shōmō) means exhaustion or depletion, used for both energy (human) and materials (technical).
- It is a formal noun and suru-verb, often appearing in contexts like battery life, sports, and workplace burnout.
- Common compounds include 消耗品 (consumables) and 消耗戦 (war of attrition), highlighting its focus on finite resources.
- It differs from 消費 (consumption) by focusing on the resulting loss or fatigue rather than the act of use.
The Japanese word 消耗 (しょうもう - shōmō) is a versatile noun and suru-verb that primarily translates to exhaustion, depletion, or wear and tear. At its core, it describes the process where a resource—be it physical energy, mental stamina, or a physical object—is gradually used up until it reaches a state of diminished capacity or total emptiness. Unlike simple 'tiredness' (tsukare), shōmō implies a systematic drain or a structural reduction in value or power. It is frequently encountered in contexts ranging from high-performance sports to the mundane depletion of a smartphone battery.
- Physical Human Context
- When applied to people, 消耗 refers to the intense drain of energy. For example, a marathon runner experiences physical 消耗, but a programmer working 15 hours straight under high stress experiences mental 消耗. It suggests a deep level of fatigue where the 'tank' is literally empty.
- Mechanical and Material Context
- In the world of machinery and products, 消耗 refers to the wear and tear of parts. Brake pads on a car, the nib of a fountain pen, or the chemical capacity of a battery are all subject to 消耗. This is why 'consumables' like printer ink or paper are called 消耗品 (shōmōhin).
激しい運動で体力を消耗した後は、十分な休息が必要です。(After exhausting your physical strength through intense exercise, sufficient rest is necessary.)
The kanji themselves tell a story: 消 (shō) means to extinguish or disappear (as in a fire or a mark), and 耗 (mō) means to decrease or waste away. Together, they create a vivid image of something slowly vanishing through use. This word is more formal than 'tsukau' (to use) and carries a weight of consequence—it’s not just using something; it’s using it up. You will hear it in news reports about natural resources, in medical diagnoses regarding chronic fatigue, and in technical manuals for hardware maintenance.
この電池は消耗が早すぎる。(This battery depletes too quickly.)
In competitive gaming or sports commentary, you might hear about 'shōmō-sen' (消耗戦), which translates to a 'war of attrition.' This is a situation where neither side can gain a quick victory, so they simply try to wear the other side down until one runs out of resources or energy first. This highlights the word's inherent focus on the quantitative reduction of a finite supply.
精神的に消耗する仕事は長く続けられない。(You cannot continue a mentally draining job for long.)
- Economic Context
- In economics, 消耗 can refer to the depreciation of capital or the consumption of national reserves. It is a sterile, objective term used to quantify loss over time.
資源の消耗を抑えるための技術開発が進んでいる。(Technological development to suppress the depletion of resources is progressing.)
Ultimately, mastering 消耗 allows you to describe the 'cost' of activity. Whether you are talking about the wear on your tires, the exhaustion of your team, or the dwindling of a country's oil reserves, 消耗 provides the precise vocabulary to express the inevitable decline of resources in a physical world.
Using 消耗 (shōmō) correctly requires understanding its role as both a noun and a suru-verb. In its noun form, it is often modified by other nouns using the particle 'no' (の), or it acts as the subject or object of a sentence. As a verb, it describes the action of something being used up or something using something else up.
- As a Noun: [Noun] + の + 消耗
- This pattern is standard for describing what is being depleted. Examples include 'tairyoku no shōmō' (depletion of physical strength) or 'shigen no shōmō' (depletion of resources). It emphasizes the state of the resource.
- As a Suru-Verb: [Noun] を 消耗する
- When you want to describe the active process of using something up. 'Energy o shōmō suru' (to consume/deplete energy). This is common in scientific or technical explanations.
長時間の会議は、参加者の精神を激しく消耗させる。(Long meetings severely deplete the mental energy of the participants.)
Notice in the example above, the causative form 消耗させる (shōmō saseru) is used. This is a very common way to say something 'drains' or 'wears out' someone else. It shifts the focus to the cause of the exhaustion.
彼は連日の残業で、心身ともに消耗しきっている。(He is completely worn out both physically and mentally from working overtime day after day.)
The phrase 消耗しきる (shōmō-shikiru) is a powerful compound verb. The auxiliary verb '-shikiru' means 'to do completely' or 'to the end.' Therefore, 'shōmō-shikiru' means to be totally, 100% depleted or exhausted. This is what you say when you have absolutely nothing left in the tank.
- Compound Nouns
- - 消耗品 (shōmōhin): Consumables (items meant to be used up and replaced).
- 消耗戦 (shōmōsen): War of attrition / endurance contest.
- 自己消耗 (jiko-shōmō): Self-depletion / self-destruction.
プリンターのインクは消耗品なので、予備を買っておくべきだ。(Printer ink is a consumable, so you should buy a spare.)
In a medical or scientific report, you might see 消耗 used to describe the wasting away of muscles or the depletion of nutrients. In these cases, it is often paired with 'hageshii' (intense) or 'ichijirushii' (marked/considerable).
この病気は体力の消耗が激しい。(This illness causes intense depletion of physical strength.)
When writing, remember that 消耗 is a 'kango' (Chinese-origin word), which means it sounds more academic and formal than native Japanese words like 'heri' (reduction). Use it when you want to sound precise, professional, or when describing a serious state of exhaustion.
If you live in Japan or consume Japanese media, you will encounter 消耗 (shōmō) in several specific environments. It is not just a 'dictionary word'; it is a functional part of daily life and professional discourse.
- 1. The Office Environment
- You will most commonly see this in the term 消耗品 (shōmōhin). In any office, there is a cabinet for 'consumables'—pens, staples, paper, and tape. If you need to ask for more supplies, you might ask where the 'shōmōhin' are kept. Additionally, managers might discuss 'seishinteki shōmō' (mental exhaustion) when discussing employee turnover or wellness.
- 2. Tech Support and Manuals
- Check the settings on your smartphone if it's set to Japanese. Under the battery section, you will see バッテリーの消耗 (batterī no shōmō). Tech reviews often compare how much 'shōmō' different apps cause to a phone's battery life. Similarly, car manuals use it for brake pads and engine oil.
このアプリはバックグラウンドでの電池消耗が激しい。(This app has heavy battery drain in the background.)
In the world of sports, especially endurance sports like soccer, marathon running, or cycling, commentators use 消耗 constantly. They talk about which player looks 'shōmō shite-iru' (looking worn out) or how a certain strategy is designed to 'shōmō saseru' (wear out) the opponent.
前半で体力を消耗しすぎて、後半は動けなくなった。(I used up too much strength in the first half and couldn't move in the second half.)
- 3. News and Environment
- News reports on climate change often use 消耗 to discuss the 'depletion' of the ozone layer or the 'exhaustion' of natural resources like coal or water. It sounds objective and serious, fitting for a news broadcast.
地球の資源を消耗し続ける生活は見直すべきだ。(We should reconsider a lifestyle that continues to deplete the Earth's resources.)
Finally, you might hear it in social commentary. A famous phrase in Japan is 'shōmō-shite-iru' used as a slangy way to describe people who are 'exhausted by the rat race' or 'worn out by social media drama.' It suggests a soul-crushing fatigue that comes from living in a high-pressure society.
Whether you are replacing a lightbulb (a shōmōhin), checking your phone's health, or discussing your mental state after a long day, 消耗 is the word that connects the physical drain of the world to our personal experiences.
While 消耗 (shōmō) is straightforward, learners often confuse it with other words related to 'using' or 'decreasing.' Understanding the nuances will help you avoid sounding unnatural or being misunderstood.
- 1. Confusing 'Shōmō' with 'Shōhi' (消費)
- This is the most common error. 消費 (shōhi) means consumption in an economic sense—buying things, using electricity, or eating calories. 消耗 (shōmō) means the 'wearing out' or 'depletion' of the thing being used.
Correct: 'Energy o shōmō suru' (The energy is being drained/wasted).
Correct: 'Calorie o shōhi suru' (To burn/use calories).
Think of it this way: Shōhi is often neutral or productive, while Shōmō focuses on the loss or fatigue.
✕ 彼は仕事で消費している。
○ 彼は仕事で消耗している。
(The first sounds like he is being 'consumed' like a product; the second correctly means he is being 'worn out'.)
Another mistake is using 消耗 when you just mean 'tired.' While 消耗 implies exhaustion, the word 疲れる (tsukareru) is much more common for everyday tiredness. If you say 'shōmō shita' after a 10-minute walk, it sounds overly dramatic, like you’ve been through a survival ordeal.
- 2. Confusing 'Shōmō' with 'Mamō' (摩耗)
- Both words involve wear and tear. However, 摩耗 (mamō) specifically refers to physical friction wearing something down (like tires on a road). 消耗 (shōmō) is broader and includes energy, mental states, and chemical depletion (like batteries). You wouldn't say your 'mental state is mamō,' but you could say your 'car tires are mamō.'
✕ 精神的な摩耗。
○ 精神的な消耗。
(Mental energy doesn't have friction, so it 'depletes' rather than 'abrades'.)
A subtle grammar mistake is the misuse of particles. Because 消耗 can be both a noun and a verb, learners sometimes forget to use 'o' (を) when using it as a transitive verb. 'Tairyoku shōmō suru' is okay as a compound, but 'Tairyoku o shōmō suru' is clearer when you are the one doing the depleting.
To avoid these mistakes, always ask yourself: 'Is something being physically or energetically worn down through use?' If yes, 消耗 is likely your word. If you are just talking about spending money or everyday tiredness, look for 消費 or 疲れる instead.
Japanese has many words for 'reduction' and 'exhaustion.' Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about money, physical friction, or general tiredness. Here is how 消耗 (shōmō) compares to its closest relatives.
- 消耗 (Shōmō) vs. 消費 (Shōhi)
- 消耗: Focuses on the loss of energy or the wearing out of a part. (e.g., battery drain, mental fatigue).
消費: Focuses on the act of using a resource or spending money. (e.g., consumer spending, calorie burning).
Example: You 'shōhi' (consume) electricity, which leads to the 'shōmō' (depletion) of the battery. - 消耗 (Shōmō) vs. 摩耗 (Mamō)
- 消耗: Broad term for any depletion (energy, health, parts).
摩耗: Specific term for wear caused by physical friction (gears, tires, shoe soles).
Example: A car's tires suffer from 'mamō' (abrasion), but the car's fuel and driver suffer from 'shōmō' (exhaustion).
資源の枯渇 (kokatsu - depletion/drying up) は、消耗よりも深刻な状態を指す。(The 'kokatsu' of resources refers to a more serious state than 'shōmō'—it means they are completely gone.)
Here are some other alternatives to consider:
- 疲弊 (hihei): This is a much stronger word than 消耗. It describes a state of being completely 'exhausted and impoverished.' It is often used for a country's economy or a community after a disaster.
- 衰退 (suitai): This means 'decline' or 'decay.' It is used for empires, industries, or health over a long period, rather than the immediate drain of energy.
- 浪費 (rōhi): This means 'waste.' Use this if the depletion was unnecessary (like wasting money or time).
この素材は耐久性 (taikyū-sei - durability) が高く、消耗しにくい。(This material has high durability and is hard to wear out.)
In summary, choose 消耗 when you want to emphasize the drain or wearing down of a finite resource. It is the perfect middle-ground word—more technical than 'tired,' but less catastrophic than 'depleted/dried up.'
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
The second kanji '耗' contains the radical for 'plow' (耒). It originally referred to the labor of farming and the 'decrease' of resources that happens during cultivation.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing it as 'shomo' with short vowels. The long vowels are crucial.
- Confusing the pitch with 'shōmō' (which doesn't exist but following a 'rising-falling' pattern).
Schwierigkeitsgrad
The kanji are N2 level, but the word is common in B1 contexts.
The kanji '耗' is quite rare and difficult to write by hand.
Easy to pronounce once you learn the long vowels.
Clearly distinct sound, though can be confused with 'shōhi' if not careful.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Suru-verbs (Noun + する)
エネルギーを消耗する。
Causative Form (〜させる)
部下を消耗させる上司。
Compound Verbs with 〜しきる
マラソンで消耗しきった。
Adverbial form (〜的に)
精神的に消耗する。
Modifier with 〜が激しい
体力の消耗が激しい。
Beispiele nach Niveau
電池を消耗しました。
The battery was used up.
Uses the past tense of the suru-verb.
体力を消耗します。
It uses up physical strength.
Direct object 'tairyoku' (physical strength) + 'o'.
これは消耗品です。
This is a consumable item.
Noun 'shōmōhin' (consumable).
エネルギーの消耗。
Depletion of energy.
Noun + 'no' + Noun structure.
あまり消耗しないでください。
Please don't wear yourself out too much.
Negative request form 'naide kudasai'.
水が消耗した。
The water was used up.
Intransitive use of the verb.
消耗が早いです。
The depletion is fast.
Noun as the subject.
消耗を抑える。
To suppress/reduce depletion.
Noun + 'o' + Verb 'osaeru'.
このゲームは電池の消耗が激しい。
This game drains the battery intensely.
Modifying 'shōmō' with 'hageshii' (intense).
階段を上ると体力を消耗する。
Climbing stairs depletes your physical strength.
Conditional 'to' indicating a natural consequence.
消耗品を買いに行きます。
I am going to buy consumables.
Using 'shōmōhin' in a purpose sentence.
古い車はオイルの消耗が早い。
Old cars use up oil quickly.
Topic 'furui kuruma' + 'wa'.
暑さで体力が消耗した。
My strength was depleted by the heat.
Cause 'atsusa' + particle 'de'.
精神的に消耗するニュース。
Mentally draining news.
Adverbial 'seishinteki ni' (mentally).
資源の消耗を止めたい。
I want to stop the depletion of resources.
Desire form 'tai'.
消耗を最小限にする。
To keep depletion to a minimum.
Noun 'saishingen' (minimum).
連日の残業で、彼は心身ともに消耗している。
With daily overtime, he is worn out both in mind and body.
Compound 'shinshin' (mind and body) + 'tomo ni' (both).
この部品は消耗が激しいため、定期的な交換が必要です。
Because this part wears out intensely, periodic replacement is necessary.
Reason 'te-form' + 'tame' (because).
無駄な争いでエネルギーを消耗したくない。
I don't want to waste energy on useless conflicts.
Adjective 'muda-na' (useless/wasteful).
マラソンの後半、体力の消耗が限界に達した。
In the second half of the marathon, the depletion of my strength reached its limit.
Noun 'genkai' (limit) + 'ni tassuru' (to reach).
彼は精神を消耗させるような環境で働いている。
He is working in an environment that drains his spirit.
Causative form 'shōmō saseru'.
インクの消耗を抑える設定にしてください。
Please set it to a mode that suppresses ink consumption.
Noun 'settei' (setting).
長い交渉は、双方を激しく消耗させた。
The long negotiation severely exhausted both parties.
Noun 'sōhō' (both sides).
キャンプでは電池の消耗に気をつけましょう。
Let's be careful about battery drain while camping.
Volitional form 'mashō'.
激しい消耗戦の末、ようやく勝利を手にした。
After a fierce war of attrition, they finally grasped victory.
Noun 'shōmōsen' (war of attrition) + 'no sue' (after/at the end of).
過度なストレスは免疫力を消耗させる。
Excessive stress depletes one's immune system.
Noun 'men'eki-ryoku' (immune strength).
天然資源の消耗は、地球規模の課題である。
The depletion of natural resources is a global-scale challenge.
Noun 'chikyū-kibo' (global scale).
彼はそのプロジェクトで自分を消耗しきってしまった。
He completely burned himself out on that project.
Compound verb 'shōmō-shikiru' (completely deplete).
タイヤの消耗具合をチェックしてください。
Please check the degree of wear on the tires.
Suffix '-guai' (condition/degree).
都市部での生活に消耗している若者が増えている。
The number of young people worn out by life in urban areas is increasing.
Present progressive 'shite-iru' modifying 'wakamono'.
この新素材は、従来の製品より消耗が少ない。
This new material has less wear than conventional products.
Comparison 'yori' (than).
政府は外貨準備の消耗を懸念している。
The government is concerned about the depletion of foreign exchange reserves.
Noun 'gaika-junbi' (foreign reserves).
長引く不況が、国民の活力をじわじわと消耗させている。
The prolonged recession is gradually draining the vitality of the citizens.
Onomatopoeia 'jiwa-jiwa' (gradually/slowly).
自己消耗的な競争は、組織全体の利益を損なう。
Self-depleting competition harms the interests of the entire organization.
Adjectival 'shōmō-teki' (depleting/consumptive).
その作家は、一冊の小説を書くたびに身を削るように消耗する。
That author exhausts themselves as if carving away their own body every time they write a novel.
Idiom 'mi o kezuru' (to carve one's body/exert oneself to the limit).
情報の洪水の中で、現代人の注意力は消耗し続けている。
In a flood of information, the attention span of modern people continues to be depleted.
Metaphor 'jōhō no kōzui' (flood of information).
この政策は、将来的な資源の消耗を度外視している。
This policy ignores the future depletion of resources.
Verb 'dogai-shi suru' (to ignore/disregard).
彼は自らの才能を、つまらない仕事で消耗させてしまった。
He ended up wasting his talent on trivial work.
Auxiliary verb 'te-shimau' (indicating regret).
権力闘争による精神的消耗は、想像を絶するものだった。
The mental exhaustion caused by the power struggle was beyond imagination.
Idiom 'sōzō o zessuru' (to be beyond imagination).
細胞レベルでのエネルギー消耗を研究している。
I am researching energy depletion at the cellular level.
Noun 'saibō-level' (cellular level).
近代化のプロセスは、伝統文化の急速な消耗を伴った。
The process of modernization was accompanied by a rapid depletion of traditional culture.
Verb 'tomonau' (to accompany).
エントロピーが増大するにつれ、宇宙の有効エネルギーは消耗していく。
As entropy increases, the available energy of the universe is depleted.
Grammar 'ni tsure' (as.../along with...).
彼の沈黙は、言葉による自己消耗を拒絶しているかのようだった。
His silence was as if he were rejecting the self-depletion caused by words.
Conjecture 'ka no yō' (as if).
資本主義における労働力の消耗は、マルクス経済学の根幹をなす。
The depletion of labor power in capitalism forms the basis of Marxian economics.
Idiom 'konkan o nasu' (to form the basis/core).
過酷な環境下での機材の消耗率は、予想を大幅に上回った。
The rate of equipment wear under harsh environments significantly exceeded expectations.
Noun 'shōmō-ritsu' (depletion rate).
その詩は、生という営みの本質的な消耗を美しく描き出している。
The poem beautifully depicts the essential depletion inherent in the act of living.
Noun '営み' (itunami - act/activity/living).
制度の形骸化は、内部の人間的資源が消耗しきった証拠だ。
The hollowing out of a system is evidence that its internal human resources have been completely depleted.
Noun 'keigaika' (becoming a mere shell).
不可逆的な時間の流れの中で、我々は常に何かを消耗し続けている。
In the irreversible flow of time, we are constantly depleting something.
Adjective 'fukagyaku-teki' (irreversible).
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— Consumables or disposable goods. Items intended to be used up and replaced.
コピー用紙は消耗品です。
— A war of attrition. A struggle where sides seek to wear each other out.
テニスの試合が消耗戦に突入した。
— To be completely exhausted or depleted. To have nothing left.
一日の終わりには消耗しきっている。
— Mental exhaustion or emotional drain.
都会の生活は精神的消耗が多い。
— Physical exhaustion or drain of strength.
登山の体力的消耗は予想以上だった。
— Battery drain or battery life depletion.
冬はバッテリーの消耗が早くなる。
— Depletion of natural resources.
石油資源の消耗が懸念されている。
— The degree of wear or depletion.
タイヤの消耗度を確認する。
— To cause something or someone to be depleted or exhausted.
敵を消耗させる作戦。
— To avoid depletion or unnecessary exhaustion.
無理をして消耗を避けるべきだ。
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Shōhi is about the act of using (spending money, eating). Shōmō is about the loss of energy or the wearing down of the object.
Mamō is strictly for physical friction (tires, gears). Shōmō is for energy and internal resources too.
Hirō is general fatigue. Shōmō sounds more like a quantitative drain on a resource.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To wear oneself out; to sacrifice one's health for something.
仕事に身を消耗する。
Literary— To fray one's nerves; to be extremely stressed.
細かい作業で神経を消耗した。
Neutral— To waste energy or resources in vain.
いたずらに体力を消耗してしまった。
Formal— The height of exhaustion; being utterly spent.
彼は消耗の極みにあった。
Literary— To exhaust oneself to the bone.
骨身を消耗して家族を養う。
Old-fashioned— To lose one's will or spirit through exhaustion.
度重なる失敗に気力を消耗した。
Neutral— To burn through funds.
新事業で資金を激しく消耗した。
Business— To shorten one's life through hard labor or stress.
命を消耗するような働き方は良くない。
Dramatic— To waste or wear out one's talent on unworthy pursuits.
彼はテレビ業界で才能を消耗した。
Critical— To spend time in a way that feels draining or wasteful.
通勤だけで毎日時間を消耗している。
InformalLeicht verwechselbar
Both involve using something up.
Rōhi is negative and implies waste. Shōmō is more neutral and often describes an inevitable process of use.
時間を浪費する (Waste time) vs 時間を消耗する (Spend draining time).
Both involve resources running out.
Kokatsu is the end state (completely dry/gone). Shōmō is the process of getting there.
資源が消耗する (Resources are depleting) vs 資源が枯渇する (Resources are gone).
Both involve things getting weaker.
Suitai is for long-term decline of systems (culture, industry). Shōmō is for immediate drain (energy, parts).
産業の衰退 (Decline of industry) vs 体力の消耗 (Depletion of strength).
Both involve reduction.
Teigen is usually a deliberate reduction (e.g., reducing costs). Shōmō is a result of use.
コストを低減する (Reduce costs) vs コストを消耗する (Burn through costs - rare).
Both involve things decreasing.
Gentai is for functions like appetite or desire. Shōmō is for energy or materials.
食欲の減退 (Loss of appetite) vs 体力の消耗 (Depletion of strength).
Satzmuster
[Noun] を 消耗します。
体力を消耗します。
[Noun] の 消耗が 早いです。
電池の消耗が早いです。
[Noun] で 消耗しています。
仕事で消耗しています。
[Noun] を 消耗させる [Noun]。
精神を消耗させる仕事。
[Noun] は 消耗の 極みだ。
彼は消耗の極みだ。
[Noun] に伴う [Noun] の 消耗。
近代化に伴う伝統の消耗。
[Noun] を 消耗しきる。
体力を消耗しきった。
[Noun] の 消耗を 抑える。
資源の消耗を抑える。
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
Common in tech, sports, business, and news. Less common in very casual daily chatter unless for emphasis.
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Using 'shōmō' for general tiredness like 'I'm a bit sleepy.'
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Use 'nemui' or 'tsukareta'.
Shōmō implies a serious drain of resources or energy, not just a casual feeling.
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Confusing 'shōmō' with 'shōhi' when talking about buying things.
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Use 'shōhi'.
Buying and using services is 'shōhi'. The physical wearing out of the product is 'shōmō'.
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Saying 'shōmō' when you mean physical friction on a gear.
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Use 'mamō'.
While 'shōmō' is okay, 'mamō' is more precise for mechanical friction.
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Using 'shōmō' as a transitive verb without 'o'.
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エネルギーを消耗する。
As a suru-verb, it usually takes an object with the particle 'o'.
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Misspelling 'shōmō' as 'shūmō'.
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shōmō (しょうもう)
The first kanji is 'shō' (消), like in 'shōbōsha' (fire engine).
Tipps
Use with 'Hageshii'
Pair 'shōmō' with 'hageshii' (intense) to describe a rapid drain. This is a very natural collocation.
Learn 'Shōmōhin'
This is the most practical form of the word. You will see it in every office and store in Japan.
Transitive vs Intransitive
You can say 'Tairyoku ga shōmō suru' (Strength depletes) or 'Tairyoku o shōmō suru' (I deplete my strength).
The Burnout Meme
Remember the phrase 'Are you still wearing yourself out in Tokyo?' to understand the modern social nuance of the word.
Check your Phone Settings
Set your phone to Japanese and look for '消耗' in the battery settings to see the word in a real-world context.
Long Vowels Matter
Make sure to say 'Shō-mō' not 'Sho-mo'. Long vowels are key to being understood.
Kanji Practice
The kanji '耗' is tricky. Practice the 'plow' radical on the left side (耒).
Shōmō vs Shōhi
Remember: Shōhi = Consumption (act). Shōmō = Depletion (result).
Listen to Commentary
Listen for 'shōmō' during the second half of sports matches to hear how it's used for fatigue.
Describe Burnout
Use 'seishinteki na shōmō' to accurately describe the feeling of being emotionally drained to a doctor or counselor.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a candle 'SHOw'ing its 'MO're you burn it, the more it disappears (SHŌ-MŌ). It's exhausting being a candle!
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture a smartphone battery icon turning red and dropping from 5% to 1%. That rapid drain is 'shōmō'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to use 'shōmō' three times today: once for your phone battery, once for your energy after work, and once for an office supply (like a pen).
Wortherkunft
Borrowed from Middle Chinese. '消' (shō) means to melt, disappear, or extinguish. '耗' (mō) means to decrease, waste, or spend time.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning in Classical Chinese referred to the loss of grain or resources, often due to pests or waste, which then evolved to mean general depletion.
Sino-Japanese (Kango)Kultureller Kontext
Be careful when using 'shōmō' to describe people in a professional setting; it can sound like you are calling them a disposable resource if used incorrectly.
In English, we might use 'burnout' for people and 'wear and tear' for objects. Japanese uses 'shōmō' for both, which can make the person feel more like an object or a resource.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Smartphone / Tech
- 電池の消耗
- バッテリー消耗
- 省エネモード
- 消耗が早い
Workplace / Stress
- 精神的消耗
- 心身ともに消耗
- 残業で消耗
- 消耗しきる
Sports / Exercise
- 体力の消耗
- 激しい消耗戦
- エネルギーを消耗
- 後半で消耗
Office Supplies
- 消耗品費
- 消耗品の補充
- 事務用消耗品
- 消耗品リスト
Environment
- 資源の消耗
- オゾン層の消耗
- 資源を消耗しない
- 持続的な消耗
Gesprächseinstiege
"最近、仕事で精神的に消耗していませんか？ (Haven't you been mentally worn out by work lately?)"
"このスマホ、電池の消耗が早すぎませんか？ (Isn't the battery drain on this phone too fast?)"
"マラソンを走った後、どれくらい体力を消耗しましたか？ (How much physical strength did you exhaust after running the marathon?)"
"会社で消耗品を頼むときは誰に言えばいいですか？ (Who should I talk to when I need to order office supplies?)"
"都会の生活と田舎の生活、どちらが消耗すると思いますか？ (Which do you think is more draining, city life or country life?)"
Tagebuch-Impulse
今日、一番体力を消耗した出来事は何でしたか？ (What was the event that exhausted your physical strength the most today?)
精神的に消耗したとき、どのように回復しますか？ (When you are mentally worn out, how do you recover?)
自分にとって「消耗品」だと思えるものは何ですか？ (What are the things you consider 'consumables' in your life?)
現代社会で人々が最も消耗している原因は何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the cause of people being most worn out in modern society?)
資源の消耗を抑えるために、明日からできることは何ですか？ (What is something you can do starting tomorrow to suppress the depletion of resources?)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but it sounds like you are 'burning through' funds in a draining way. 'Shigen' (resources) or 'shikin' (funds) can be the object. For everyday spending, 'shōhi' (spending) or 'rōhi' (waste) is more common.
No, it applies to anything meant to be used up. In video games, potions are 'shōmōhin.' In a factory, drill bits are 'shōmōhin.' Even lightbulbs in a house are 'shōmōhin.'
Tsukareru is a verb meaning 'to get tired.' Shōmō is a noun/verb meaning 'depletion.' You can say 'I'm tired' (tsukareta), but you say 'My strength has depleted' (tairyoku ga shōmō shita).
Absolutely. It is the standard word for the depletion of natural resources like oil, water, or the ozone layer in news and academic writing.
It is 'shōmō-sen' (消耗戦). It describes a battle where both sides just try to outlast the other's resources.
Yes, it is a 'kango' (Chinese-origin word), making it more formal than native Japanese words. It's suitable for business, science, and news.
Yes, 'seishinteki na shōmō' (mental exhaustion) is very common to describe feeling emotionally drained or burnt out.
The suffix '-shikiru' means to do completely. So it means to be 'totally and utterly drained/exhausted.'
No. 'Mamō' is only for physical objects with friction. You should use 'shōmō' or 'hihei' for people.
Generally, yes, as it involves loss. However, in a technical sense (like a battery), it's just an objective description of a process.
Teste dich selbst 192 Fragen
Translate to Japanese: 'I exhausted my physical strength.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'Printer ink is a consumable.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'This app drains the battery quickly.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Japanese: 'I am mentally worn out from work.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'We must suppress the depletion of resources.'
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Use 'shōmō' in a sentence about a marathon.
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Use 'shōmō' in a sentence about office supplies.
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Translate to Japanese: 'A fierce war of attrition.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'He is completely exhausted.'
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Write a sentence using 'shōmō saseru'.
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Translate to Japanese: 'Degree of wear on the tires.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Depletion of natural resources.'
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Write a sentence using 'shinshin tomo ni shōmō'.
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Translate to Japanese: 'Suppressing energy depletion.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Self-depleting competition.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Depletion of the ozone layer.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'He wasted his talent.'
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Use 'shōmō' to describe a long meeting.
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Translate to Japanese: 'Periodic replacement of consumables.'
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Translate to Japanese: 'Irreversible depletion.'
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Say: 'I am exhausted.' using 'shōmō'.
Read this aloud:
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Describe your phone's battery life using 'shōmō'.
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Ask where the consumables are.
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Say: 'This job is mentally draining.'
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Say: 'Let's suppress energy depletion.'
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Tell someone not to wear themselves out.
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Describe a tough game as a 'war of attrition'.
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Say: 'I'm completely burnt out.'
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Say you need to buy office supplies.
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Mention that resource depletion is a problem.
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Say: 'Overtime is draining his mind and body.'
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Ask about the degree of wear on a part.
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Say you don't want to waste energy on arguments.
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Say: 'Stationery is a consumable.'
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Say you're worried about oil depletion.
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Say: 'The heat is exhausting my strength.'
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Say: 'I'm at my limit of exhaustion.'
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Say: 'This app has heavy battery drain.'
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Say: 'We are depleting the Earth's resources.'
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Say: 'It's a self-depleting lifestyle.'
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Listen and identify the word: 'バッテリーのしょうもうが激しいですね。'
What is low? 'しょうもうひんの在庫を確認してください。'
How does the person feel? '最近、精神的にしょうもうしているんだ。'
What kind of match was it? 'すごいしょうもうせんだったね。'
What is the verb used? '体力をしょうもうする。'
What is being suppressed? 'エネルギーのしょうもうを抑える設定。'
Is the person okay? '彼はしょうもうしきっているよ。'
What is being checked? 'タイヤのしょうもう具合を見て。'
What is the cause? '暑さで体力がしょうもうした。'
What is the topic? 'しげんのしょうもうについて話す。'
Translate the heard sentence: 'むだなしょうもうは避けよう。'
What is the adjective? 'せいしんてきなしょうもう。'
What item is mentioned? 'インクはしょうもうひんです。'
What is the rate? 'しょうもうが早いです。'
What level of exhaustion? 'しょうもうのきわみ。'
/ 192 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 消耗 (shōmō) when you want to describe a serious drain of energy or the wearing out of a resource. Example: 'Tairyoku o shōmō suru' (to exhaust one's physical strength). It implies that something is being used up and becoming weaker or less functional.
- 消耗 (shōmō) means exhaustion or depletion, used for both energy (human) and materials (technical).
- It is a formal noun and suru-verb, often appearing in contexts like battery life, sports, and workplace burnout.
- Common compounds include 消耗品 (consumables) and 消耗戦 (war of attrition), highlighting its focus on finite resources.
- It differs from 消費 (consumption) by focusing on the resulting loss or fatigue rather than the act of use.
Use with 'Hageshii'
Pair 'shōmō' with 'hageshii' (intense) to describe a rapid drain. This is a very natural collocation.
Learn 'Shōmōhin'
This is the most practical form of the word. You will see it in every office and store in Japan.
Transitive vs Intransitive
You can say 'Tairyoku ga shōmō suru' (Strength depletes) or 'Tairyoku o shōmō suru' (I deplete my strength).
The Burnout Meme
Remember the phrase 'Are you still wearing yourself out in Tokyo?' to understand the modern social nuance of the word.
Beispiel
激しい運動で体力を消耗しました。
