Signification
Feeling low on energy.
Contexte culturel
Greeks often work long hours, and complaining about being tired is a common social bonding ritual. It's not seen as 'whining' but as a shared acknowledgement of hard work. The afternoon break (2 PM - 5 PM) is sacred. Saying you are tired during these hours is an expected reason to go home and nap. Using fatigue as an excuse to decline an invitation is considered very polite and is rarely questioned. It is a 'safe' way to say no. Many famous Greek songs talk about the 'tired heart' or 'tired soul', elevating the concept of fatigue to a romantic or existential level.
Gender Check
Always double-check your ending. If you're a woman, it's 'κουρασμένη'. This is the #1 mistake for learners.
Don't over-apologize
In Greece, saying you're tired is a normal part of life. You don't need to feel guilty for saying it!
Signification
Feeling low on energy.
Gender Check
Always double-check your ending. If you're a woman, it's 'κουρασμένη'. This is the #1 mistake for learners.
Don't over-apologize
In Greece, saying you're tired is a normal part of life. You don't need to feel guilty for saying it!
Add 'λίγο'
If you want to sound less dramatic, add 'λίγο' (a little): 'Είμαι λίγο κουρασμένος σήμερα'.
The 'Mesimeri' Context
If you say this between 2 PM and 5 PM, people will assume you are heading for a nap.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the adjective for a woman speaking.
Είμαι ________ σήμερα. (κουρασμένος)
Since the speaker is a woman, the adjective must end in -η.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am very tired today'?
...
'Είμαι' + 'πολύ' + 'κουρασμένος' is the standard construction.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε σινεμά; Β: Όχι, συγγνώμη. ________ σήμερα.
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves, so 'Είμαι' (I am) is required.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Είμαι πτώμα σήμερα.
'Πτώμα' (corpse) is slang for being very tired.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Gender Agreement for 'Tired'
Levels of Fatigue
Mild
- • Λίγο κουρασμένος
Standard
- • Κουρασμένος
Extreme
- • Πτώμα
- • Κομμάτια
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΕίμαι ________ σήμερα. (κουρασμένος)
Since the speaker is a woman, the adjective must end in -η.
...
'Είμαι' + 'πολύ' + 'κουρασμένος' is the standard construction.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε σινεμά; Β: Όχι, συγγνώμη. ________ σήμερα.
The speaker (B) is talking about themselves, so 'Είμαι' (I am) is required.
Είμαι πτώμα σήμερα.
'Πτώμα' (corpse) is slang for being very tired.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, it is used for both physical and mental exhaustion.
No, as long as you say it politely. It's a neutral statement of fact.
Είμαστε κουρασμένοι (We are tired).
Είμαι πολύ κουρασμένος.
No, 'κούραση' is the noun (fatigue). You must use the adjective 'κουρασμένος'.
No, but it specifies that you feel this way right now.
'Εξαντλημένος' is much stronger, like 'exhausted' vs 'tired'.
Είσαι κουρασμένος; (to a man) or Είσαι κουρασμένη; (to a woman).
Yes, 'Είμαι πτώμα' or 'Είμαι κομμάτια'.
You can say 'Σήμερα είμαι κουρασμένος' to emphasize 'today'.
No, only for living beings. You wouldn't say a car is 'κουρασμένο'.
Extremely common, often accompanied by a sleeping emoji.
Expressions liées
Είμαι πτώμα
specialized formI am dead tired
Είμαι κομμάτια
synonymI am in pieces
Χρειάζομαι ξεκούραση
builds onI need rest
Κουράστηκα
similarI got tired
Δεν έχω κουράγιο
similarI don't have the courage/strength
Είμαι εξαντλημένος
synonymI am exhausted
