Phrase in 30 Seconds
A simple, essential way to tell someone you are physically or mentally exhausted after a long day.
- Means: 'I am tired' or 'I am exhausted' in a neutral way.
- Used in: After work, finishing exercise, or dealing with heavy traffic.
- Don't confuse: With 'Saya sakit' which means you are actually ill.
توضیح در سطح شما:
معنی
Expressing physical exhaustion or fatigue
زمینه فرهنگی
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'.
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.
خودت رو بسنج
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'.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
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
بانک تمرین
5 تمرینهاHari 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'.
🎉 امتیاز: /5
سوالات متداول
14 سوالNot 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.
عبارات مرتبط
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
کجا استفاده کنیم
After a long work shift
Colleague: Kamu masih mau kerja?
You: Nggak, saya capek. Saya mau pulang.
Stuck in Jakarta traffic
Driver: Macetnya parah ya?
You: Iya, saya capek di jalan terus.
After the gym
Friend: Ayo lari satu kilo lagi!
You: Aduh, jangan. Saya sudah capek banget.
Declining a party invitation
Friend: Nanti malam ke pesta, yuk?
You: Maaf, saya capek. Lain kali saja ya.
Dealing with a slow computer
You: Duh, loading-nya lama sekali. Capek deh!
Talking to a doctor
Doctor: Apa keluhan Anda?
You: Saya merasa cepat capek belakangan ini.
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
Think of a 'CAP' that is too heavy for your head, making you 'CAP-ek'.
تداعی تصویری
Imagine a person wearing a giant, heavy baseball cap that is pushing their head down because they are so exhausted.
Rhyme
Kalau kamu capek, jangan jadi lembek (If you are tired, don't become weak).
Story
After a long day at the office, Budi walked to the bus stop. The sun was hot, and his bag was heavy. He sat down, wiped his sweat, and sighed, 'Saya capek.' A friendly cat sat next to him, and he felt a bit better.
In Other Languages
Similar to the English 'I'm beat' or the Japanese 'Tsukareta'. It’s a universal feeling expressed with a simple, punchy word.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Try saying 'Saya capek' to yourself next time you finish a workout or a long study session. Notice how the 'k' at the end is soft.
Review this phrase whenever you actually feel tired! Real-life application is the best way to remember A1 adjectives.
تلفظ
The 'y' is like the 'y' in 'yes'.
The 'c' is always like 'ch' in 'church'. The 'e' is a schwa (like the 'a' in 'about'). The 'k' is a glottal stop or very soft.
طیف رسمیت
Saya sangat lelah. (General expression of high fatigue)
Saya capek sekali. (General expression of high fatigue)
Aku capek banget. (General expression of high fatigue)
Gue cape bgt, parah. (General expression of high fatigue)
Derived from the Javanese word 'capĕk' and adopted into Betawi (Jakarta Malay). It entered the Indonesian national language as Jakarta became the cultural and media hub of the country.
نکته جالب
Even though 'capek' is used by everyone today, some very old-fashioned linguistic purists still consider it 'informal' compared to 'lelah'.
نکات فرهنگی
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.
“Duh, capek banget di jalan tadi, macetnya gila!”
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.
“Sama-sama capek ya kita hari ini.”
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.
“Jangan terlalu capek, nanti masuk angin.”
The phrase 'Capek deh' was popularized by TV shows in the 2000s and remains a staple of Indonesian internet meme culture to express exasperation.
“Dia telat lagi? Capek deh!”
شروعکنندههای مکالمه
Bagaimana pekerjaanmu hari ini? Apakah kamu capek?
Kamu terlihat capek. Apa yang terjadi?
Kenapa kamu tidak ikut ke pesta semalam?
اشتباهات رایج
Saya adalah capek.
Saya capek.
L1 Interference
Saya capek hati (when meaning physical tiredness).
Saya capek.
L1 Interference
Saya sangat lelah (to a close friend).
Saya capek banget.
L1 Interference
Saya capek (when you have a fever).
Saya sakit.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Estoy cansado
Indonesian has no gender or 'to be' verb.
Je suis fatigué
No verb 'to be' or gender agreement in Indonesian.
Ich bin müde
German requires the verb 'bin'.
疲れた (Tsukareta)
Japanese uses a past-tense verb; Indonesian uses a present-state adjective.
أنا تعبان (Ana ta'ban)
Indonesian 'capek' is strictly for fatigue, not illness.
我累了 (Wǒ lèi le)
Chinese often uses 'le' to show you *became* tired, whereas Indonesian just states the state.
피곤해요 (Pigon-haeyo)
Korean requires politeness conjugation; Indonesian does not.
Estou cansado
Indonesian is gender-neutral and verb-less for adjectives.
Spotted in the Real World
“Capek deh... capek deh...”
A popular dangdut song using the catchphrase to describe relationship frustrations.
“Saya capek, Rangga.”
Cinta expressing her emotional exhaustion regarding her complicated relationship with Rangga.
“Capek banget hari ini, pengen resign aja.”
A very common 'venting' tweet about work stress.
“Mas, aku capek banget habis belanja.”
A wife telling her husband she's tired after shopping in a sitcom.
بهراحتی اشتباه گرفته میشود
Learners might use 'capek' to mean they feel unwell in general.
Use 'capek' for low energy, 'sakit' for pain, fever, or illness.
Thinking it means your heart is physically tired.
It's an idiom for being emotionally fed up or discouraged.
سوالات متداول (14)
Not at all! It's a neutral, everyday word. Just be careful not to sound like you're complaining too much to your boss.
basic understanding'Capek' is for daily conversation. 'Lelah' is more formal, poetic, or used in writing.
comparisonsYes, it's perfectly polite. You might want to add 'Pak' or 'Bu' at the end: 'Saya capek, Pak.'
usage contextsJust add 'tidak' before the word: 'Saya tidak capek.'
grammar mechanicsIt's just a casual, shortened version common in Jakarta slang and texting.
practical tipsIt means being emotionally exhausted or 'fed up' with a situation or person.
cultural usageYou can say 'capek banget' or the slang word 'tepar'.
vocabularyNo, for a battery you would say 'lowbat' (slang) or 'habis baterai'. 'Capek' is only for living things.
usage contextsNo, Indonesian adjectives never change. 'Kami capek' (We are tired).
grammar mechanics'Pegel' is a specific type of 'capek' that refers to muscle aches or stiffness.
comparisonsThe official dictionary (KBBI) spelling is 'capek', but 'cape' is very common informally.
basic understandingYes, 'merasa' means 'to feel'. It sounds a bit more descriptive and formal.
usage contextsThere isn't one direct word, but you could say 'segar' (fresh) or 'bersemangat' (energetic).
vocabularyIn Malaysia, 'penat' is the more common word for tired, though they understand 'capek' due to Indonesian media.
cultural usage
