Significado
Express extreme tiredness and lack of energy.
Contexto cultural
The 'Feierabend' culture is very strong. Admitting exhaustion at the end of the day is a signal that you have earned your rest. In Swiss German, you might hear 'Ich bi hingerletscht', which is a local way of expressing extreme exhaustion. Austrians might use 'Ich bin paniert' (I am breaded/fried) to mean they are exhausted, like a Schnitzel that has been through a lot. There is a growing awareness of 'Burnout' in German offices. 'Völlig erschöpft' is often the first phrase used to start a conversation about mental health.
Use with 'sein'
Always remember that this is a state. You *are* exhausted, you don't *have* exhaustion in common speech.
Don't overdo it
If you use this for every little thing, it loses its impact. Save it for when you really feel drained.
Significado
Express extreme tiredness and lack of energy.
Use with 'sein'
Always remember that this is a state. You *are* exhausted, you don't *have* exhaustion in common speech.
Don't overdo it
If you use this for every little thing, it loses its impact. Save it for when you really feel drained.
Combine with 'nur noch'
Saying 'Ich bin nur noch völlig erschöpft' adds a sense of 'I can't do anything else but be tired'.
The 'Jammern' factor
In Germany, sharing that you are erschöpft is a common way to bond over shared hard work.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to complete the sentence.
Nach dem 10-Kilometer-Lauf war ich ______ erschöpft.
'Völlig' is the correct adverb to intensify the adjective 'erschöpft'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say you are very tired after work?
A: Ich bin völlig erschrocken. B: Ich bin völlig erschöpft. C: Ich habe völlig erschöpft.
B uses the correct adjective and the correct auxiliary verb 'sein'.
Match the German phrase with its English equivalent.
1. Ich bin müde. 2. Ich bin völlig erschöpft. 3. Ich bin fix und fertig.
These represent different levels of intensity and formality.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Willst du heute Abend tanzen gehen? B: Nein, sorry. Ich hatte einen harten Tag und bin ______ ______.
The context of a 'hard day' implies tiredness.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Formal vs. Informal
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosNach dem 10-Kilometer-Lauf war ich ______ erschöpft.
'Völlig' is the correct adverb to intensify the adjective 'erschöpft'.
A: Ich bin völlig erschrocken. B: Ich bin völlig erschöpft. C: Ich habe völlig erschöpft.
B uses the correct adjective and the correct auxiliary verb 'sein'.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These represent different levels of intensity and formality.
A: Willst du heute Abend tanzen gehen? B: Nein, sorry. Ich hatte einen harten Tag und bin ______ ______.
The context of a 'hard day' implies tiredness.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and colleagues.
'Müde' is just wanting to sleep. 'Erschöpft' means your energy reserves are gone.
It sounds very medical. Stick to 'Ich bin erschöpft'.
Yes, 'total erschöpft' is very common and slightly more informal.
Yes, if you are explaining why you need a break or why a deadline might be hard to meet.
Close your lips for the 'p' and immediately release into an 'f' sound.
No, when used with 'sein', the form 'erschöpft' stays the same for everyone.
'Ausgeruht' (rested) or 'voller Energie' (full of energy).
Technically yes, but usually we say 'leer'.
Yes, but 'fix und fertig' is more colloquial.
Yes, this means mentally exhausted.
It's an even stronger version, meaning 'without any rest of energy left'.
Frases relacionadas
fix und fertig sein
similarTo be wiped out
ausgelaugt sein
similarTo feel leached out
am Ende sein
similarTo be at the end
todmüde sein
similarTo be dead tired
sich erholen
contrastTo recover/relax
