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B1 adjective 10 min de lecture

agotado/a

Completely used up or exhausted; extremely tired.

At the A1 beginner level, learners are primarily introduced to the most basic adjectives to describe feelings and physical states. While 'cansado' (tired) is usually the first word taught, 'agotado' is introduced as the extreme version of being tired. At this stage, the focus is strictly on memorizing the word as a vocabulary item and learning to pair it correctly with the verb 'estar'. Beginners learn the simple phrase 'estoy agotado' (I am exhausted) and practice changing the ending to 'agotada' if they are female. They are not yet expected to understand the nuance of resources being depleted or items being sold out. The cognitive load is kept low by focusing purely on personal physical feelings. Teachers at this level will often use exaggerated body language, like pretending to fall asleep or wiping sweat from their brow, to distinguish this word from simple tiredness. The primary goal is for the learner to express their basic physical needs and states, enabling them to communicate when they need to stop an activity or rest.
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As learners progress to the A2 elementary level, their understanding of 'agotado' expands slightly beyond personal physical fatigue. They begin to apply the adjective to other people, practicing conjugations like 'él está agotado' or 'nosotros estamos agotados'. This reinforces the critical grammar rule of gender and number agreement in adjectives. Furthermore, at the A2 level, learners are introduced to the secondary, yet highly common, meaning of the word: 'sold out'. They learn this in the context of basic transactional Spanish, such as buying tickets at a cinema or shopping for clothes. Encountering a sign that says 'Entradas agotadas' becomes a practical reading comprehension skill. They learn to associate the word with the concept of zero availability. While they might not yet use it actively to describe abstract concepts, they can comfortably understand and use it in these two primary, concrete contexts: extreme human tiredness and unavailable merchandise in shops.
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At the B1 intermediate level, 'agotado' becomes an active and versatile part of the learner's vocabulary. Learners are expected to use it confidently in various tenses, such as the past ('estaba agotado' or 'estuvo agotado') and the future ('estaré agotado'). They begin to understand the metaphorical extensions of the word, using it to describe mental or emotional fatigue ('agotamiento mental') rather than just physical tiredness. At this stage, learners can explain *why* they are exhausted using complex sentences with conjunctions (e.g., 'Estoy agotado porque he estado estudiando toda la noche'). They also comfortably use it to discuss depleted resources in broader contexts, such as talking about the environment ('recursos naturales agotados') or personal finances ('presupuesto agotado'). The B1 learner understands the subtle difference in register and intensity between 'cansado', 'exhausto', and 'agotado', and can choose the appropriate word based on the situation, demonstrating a deeper grasp of Spanish vocabulary nuances.
At the B2 upper-intermediate level, the usage of 'agotado' becomes highly nuanced and idiomatic. Learners can seamlessly integrate the word into complex grammatical structures, including the subjunctive mood (e.g., 'No creo que esté agotado' - I don't think he is exhausted). They are introduced to the related verb 'agotar' (to exhaust/deplete) and use it actively in perfect tenses ('hemos agotado todas las opciones' - we have exhausted all options). At this level, learners understand subtle cultural contexts and idiomatic expressions related to fatigue. They can read news articles or literature where 'agotado' describes abstract concepts, such as an 'argumento agotado' (a tired/overused argument) or a 'modelo económico agotado' (a depleted economic model). The focus shifts from merely describing physical states to using the word as a powerful descriptive tool in debates, essays, and professional conversations, showing a high degree of fluency and vocabulary control.
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At the C1 advanced level, learners possess a near-native command of the word 'agotado' and its entire word family (agotar, agotamiento, inagotable). They use it effortlessly in highly abstract, academic, or professional contexts. A C1 speaker might discuss how a particular political discourse is 'agotado' (stale/played out) or how a specific artistic movement reached its 'etapa de agotamiento' (stage of exhaustion). They understand the subtle stylistic choices between using 'agotado', 'exhausto', 'yermo' (barren), or 'esquilmado' (depleted) depending on the exact literary or technical context. They can play with the word in rhetorical devices and understand its use in classic and contemporary Spanish literature. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a conceptual tool used to articulate complex ideas about energy, resources, sustainability, human psychology, and societal trends with absolute precision and grammatical flawlessness.
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At the C2 mastery level, the learner's understanding and application of 'agotado' are indistinguishable from those of a highly educated native speaker. They can manipulate the word and its derivatives across all registers, from the most colloquial street slang (understanding regional variants like 'reventado' or 'hecho polvo' as direct conversational equivalents) to the most elevated academic discourse. They can instantly comprehend and produce complex passive structures (e.g., 'Las vías de negociación se dan por agotadas'). At this pinnacle of language acquisition, the learner appreciates the etymological roots of the word and how it shapes the Spanish speaker's worldview regarding effort and depletion. They can write sophisticated essays, deliver professional presentations, or engage in deep philosophical debates using 'agotado' to convey profound layers of meaning regarding human endurance, environmental crisis, or existential fatigue, demonstrating complete linguistic and cultural fluency.
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Exemples

agotado/a en 30 secondes

  • Extremely tired or completely exhausted.
  • Used with 'estar' for temporary states.
  • Means 'sold out' for tickets or products.
  • Can describe depleted natural resources.
The Spanish word agotado or agotada is an incredibly versatile and frequently used adjective that primarily translates to exhausted, completely used up, or sold out in English. When you are learning Spanish, understanding the nuances of this word is absolutely essential because it bridges the gap between physical states of being and the physical availability of objects or resources in the real world. To fully grasp what it means and when people use it, we must explore its dual nature. On one hand, it describes a profound sense of physical or mental fatigue. On the other hand, it describes a state of depletion.
Physical Exhaustion
When used with the verb estar, it means a person is extremely tired, lacking any remaining energy after a long day of work, intense exercise, or emotional stress.

Después del maratón, el corredor estaba completamente agotado.

Resource Depletion
When applied to objects, resources, or merchandise, it indicates that the supply has been completely consumed, leaving nothing behind for future use or purchase.

Lamentablemente, el presupuesto del proyecto está agotado.

Mental Burnout
Beyond physical tiredness, it beautifully captures the essence of mental fatigue, where one's patience, cognitive ability, or emotional reserves are entirely spent.

Mi paciencia con este problema informático se ha agotado.

Las entradas para el concierto de esta noche ya están agotadas.

Ella llegó a casa sintiéndose completamente agotada.

The usage of this adjective is pervasive in everyday Spanish conversation. When you meet a friend after a long week, expressing that you are cansado (tired) might not be enough to convey the depth of your fatigue. In such moments, upgrading your vocabulary to use this stronger term effectively communicates that you have reached your absolute limit. Furthermore, in commercial contexts, it is the standard vocabulary used by vendors, ticket sellers, and retailers to inform customers that inventory is zero. Understanding when to use this word helps learners sound much more natural and precise in their daily interactions. It elevates your descriptive capabilities from simple basic adjectives to more expressive and vivid language, allowing you to paint a clearer picture of your internal state or the external world's limitations. Whether you are talking about your energy levels, the battery on your smartphone, the availability of your favorite pastry at the local bakery, or the water reserves during a drought, this is the perfect word to articulate that something has reached its absolute end and nothing remains.
Using the word agotado or agotada correctly in sentences requires a solid understanding of Spanish grammar, particularly the differences between the verbs ser and estar, as well as the rules of gender and number agreement. Because this word describes a temporary state or the result of an action, it is almost exclusively paired with the verb estar. You would never say 'soy agotado' because exhaustion is not a permanent characteristic of your identity; rather, it is a temporary condition that will eventually pass once you rest.
Subject Agreement
The adjective must change its ending to match whether the noun it describes is masculine (agotado), feminine (agotada), masculine plural (agotados), or feminine plural (agotadas).

Los niños jugaron todo el día y ahora están agotados.

Using with Estar
Always conjugate the verb estar according to the subject before adding the adjective to describe the current state of physical or emotional depletion.

Nosotros estamos muy agotados por el viaje largo.

Describing Objects
When talking about items that are sold out, the adjective must match the gender and number of the item, not the person trying to buy it.

Fui a comprar la camisa, pero estaba agotada.

El recurso principal del pueblo quedó agotado tras la sequía.

Mis fuerzas están agotadas; no puedo continuar.

When constructing sentences, it is also common to see this word function as a participle in perfect tenses, derived from the verb agotar. For example, 'he agotado mis opciones' means 'I have exhausted my options'. However, when functioning purely as an adjective, it is crucial to remember its descriptive role. You can place it after nouns for emphasis or use it as a predicate adjective with linking verbs like quedar (to end up) or sentirse (to feel). Saying 'me siento agotado' (I feel exhausted) is just as common and natural as saying 'estoy agotado'. Furthermore, in written contexts, particularly in literature or formal journalism, you might encounter it describing abstract concepts, such as an 'argumento agotado' (an exhausted/overused argument) or an 'estilo agotado' (a tired style). Practicing these different sentence structures will profoundly improve your fluency and ensure that you can express complex states of depletion and fatigue with grammatical accuracy and native-like precision in any conversation.
You will encounter the word agotado or agotada in a wide variety of real-life situations across the Spanish-speaking world, making it a highly practical vocabulary item to master. Its usage spans from intimate personal conversations to public commercial announcements, reflecting its broad utility. One of the most common places you will hear this word is in the workplace or among friends discussing their daily routines.
Daily Conversations
Friends and family frequently use this term to describe their feelings after a long, demanding day at work, school, or taking care of children.

Trabajé doce horas hoy; estoy totalmente agotado.

Retail and Shopping
In stores, supermarkets, and online shopping platforms, this word is the standard indicator that a product is out of stock and unavailable for purchase.

Quería comprar ese modelo de teléfono, pero está agotado.

Entertainment and Events
When trying to buy tickets for a popular concert, movie, theater play, or sports match, you will often be disappointed to hear or read this word.

No podemos ir al cine porque los boletos están agotados.

El doctor me dijo que mi cuerpo está agotado por la falta de sueño.

El agua del pozo se ha agotado completamente este verano.

Another context where this word frequently appears is in medical or psychological settings. A doctor might tell a patient that their immune system is depleted, or a therapist might discuss emotional burnout using this exact terminology. In the news, reporters use it to describe natural resources, such as water reservoirs during a severe drought, or government funds that have been entirely spent. Sports commentators also heavily rely on this word to describe athletes in the final minutes of a grueling match, noting how their physical reserves are gone. By paying attention to these various contexts, you will quickly realize that this is not just a word for feeling sleepy; it is a fundamental descriptor for the end of a supply, whether that supply is human energy, tangible goods, or natural resources. Recognizing it in these diverse environments will significantly boost your listening comprehension and your ability to navigate the Spanish-speaking world effectively.
When learning how to use the word agotado or agotada, English speakers often fall into a few predictable traps. Because the English word 'exhausted' is relatively straightforward, learners sometimes assume the Spanish equivalent functions identically in all grammatical structures. The most prevalent error involves the misuse of the verbs ser and estar.
Ser vs Estar Confusion
Learners frequently say 'soy agotado' instead of the correct 'estoy agotado'. Remember that exhaustion is a temporary state, not a permanent defining characteristic of your identity.

Incorrecto: Yo soy agotado. Correcto: Yo estoy agotado.

Gender Agreement Errors
Female speakers sometimes forget to change the ending to 'a' when describing themselves, accidentally using the default masculine form.

María dijo: Estoy agotada (not agotado).

Tener vs Estar
Because English speakers say 'I have exhaustion', they might try to translate this directly to 'tengo agotado', which is grammatically incorrect in Spanish.

Incorrecto: Tengo agotado. Correcto: Tengo agotamiento (noun) or Estoy agotado (adjective).

Las entradas son agotadas is wrong; it should be Las entradas están agotadas.

El libro está agotado (correctly matches the masculine singular noun 'libro').

Another subtle mistake is overusing this word when a simple 'cansado' (tired) would suffice. While it is great to have a robust vocabulary, claiming you are completely depleted after a minor ten-minute walk might sound slightly dramatic to a native speaker, unless used intentionally for comedic effect. It is reserved for genuine, deep fatigue or absolute depletion of resources. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse the adjective form with the verb form. While 'estoy agotado' means 'I am exhausted', 'he agotado' means 'I have exhausted' (for example, 'he agotado mis ahorros' - I have exhausted my savings). Mixing up the descriptive adjective with the active participle can lead to confusing sentences. By paying strict attention to verb choice (always estar for states), ensuring gender and number agreement, and reserving the word for appropriate levels of fatigue or depletion, you can easily avoid these common pitfalls and speak Spanish with much greater confidence and accuracy.
Expanding your vocabulary means not relying on just one word for every situation. While agotado or agotada is an excellent and highly descriptive adjective, Spanish offers a rich variety of synonyms and related terms that can add nuance and precision to your speech. Depending on the exact context, the region, or the level of formality, you might want to choose an alternative that better captures the specific flavor of fatigue or depletion you are trying to express.
Cansado/a
This is the most direct and common translation for 'tired'. It is less intense than being completely exhausted and is suitable for everyday, mild fatigue.

Estoy un poco cansado, pero no agotado.

Rendido/a
Literally meaning 'surrendered' or 'defeated', this word is used colloquially to mean 'dead tired' or so exhausted that you are ready to collapse.

Después de limpiar toda la casa, caí en la cama totalmente rendida.

Reventado/a
A more colloquial and slightly informal term that literally means 'burst' or 'busted', used to describe feeling physically destroyed by exertion.

El entrenamiento de hoy me dejó reventado.

Para decir que no hay más productos, también puedes decir que están vendidos completamente.

Otra opción para expresar fatiga extrema es decir que estás exhausto.

The word 'exhausto' is actually a very close cognate to the English 'exhausted' and is perfectly acceptable, though it often sounds slightly more formal or literary in Spanish than our main focus word. When talking about objects or resources, instead of saying something is depleted, you might say it is 'sin existencias' (out of stock) in a formal retail environment, or simply 'se acabó' (it ran out / it is finished). Understanding these alternatives allows you to tailor your language to the specific situation. If you are talking to your boss, you might say you are 'muy cansado' or 'exhausto'. If you are joking with friends after a long hike, 'reventado' or 'hecho polvo' (literally 'made into dust') might be much more appropriate and culturally resonant. By building this web of related vocabulary around your core understanding, you significantly enhance your fluency and your ability to express exactly how you feel or exactly what the state of a resource is.
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Exemples par niveau

1

Yo estoy agotado.

I am exhausted.

Use 'estoy' for I am. Match gender (agotado for male).

2

Ella está agotada.

She is exhausted.

Use 'está' for she is. Match gender (agotada for female).

3

El niño está agotado.

The boy is exhausted.

Match adjective to masculine singular noun.

4

¿Estás agotado?

Are you exhausted?

Question format using 'estás' (informal you).

5

Mi perro está agotado.

My dog is exhausted.

Animals also use 'estar' for physical states.

6

Nosotros estamos agotados.

We are exhausted.

Plural form 'agotados' with 'estamos'.

7

No estoy agotado.

I am not exhausted.

Negative sentence structure.

8

El agua está agotada.

The water is used up.

Feminine singular for 'agua'.

1

Las entradas están agotadas.

The tickets are sold out.

Feminine plural agreement for 'entradas'.

2

Ayer estaba muy agotado.

Yesterday I was very exhausted.

Imperfect tense 'estaba' for past states.

3

El pan está agotado en la tienda.

The bread is sold out in the store.

Masculine singular for 'pan'.

4

Mis padres están agotados de trabajar.

My parents are exhausted from working.

Preposition 'de' followed by infinitive.

5

El producto está completamente agotado.

The product is completely sold out.

Adverb 'completamente' modifies the adjective.

6

Ellas llegaron agotadas a casa.

They arrived home exhausted.

Adjective modifying the subject while using an action verb (llegar).

7

Después del partido, me sentí agotado.

After the game, I felt exhausted.

Used with reflexive verb 'sentirse'.

8

Los boletos para el tren están agotados.

The train tickets are sold out.

Masculine plural agreement for 'boletos'.

1

Me siento mentalmente agotado por los exámenes.

I feel mentally exhausted because of the exams.

Adverb 'mentalmente' adds specific context to the state.

2

El presupuesto del proyecto ya está agotado.

The project's budget is already depleted.

Used to describe financial depletion.

3

Si sigues corriendo así, terminarás agotado.

If you keep running like that, you will end up exhausted.

Future tense context with verb 'terminar'.

4

Es normal estar agotado después de un viaje tan largo.

It is normal to be exhausted after such a long trip.

Infinitive phrase acting as the subject.

5

La paciencia del profesor está casi agotada.

The teacher's patience is almost exhausted.

Abstract noun 'paciencia' used with the adjective.

6

Hemos buscado por todas partes, estoy agotada.

We have looked everywhere, I am exhausted.

Connecting a present perfect action to a current state.

7

Aunque estaba agotado, continuó trabajando.

Even though he was exhausted, he continued working.

Conjunction 'aunque' introducing a contrast.

8

Las reservas de petróleo podrían estar agotadas pronto.

Oil reserves could be depleted soon.

Conditional tense 'podrían' with the adjective.

1

Dudo que el inventario esté agotado tan rápido.

I doubt the inventory is sold out so quickly.

Subjunctive mood 'esté' triggered by 'dudo que'.

2

El modelo económico actual parece estar agotado.

The current economic model seems to be exhausted.

Abstract concept described as depleted.

3

Llegó a un punto en que su creatividad estaba agotada.

He reached a point where his creativity was exhausted.

Describing the depletion of an abstract mental resource.

4

A menos que descansemos, estaremos agotados mañana.

Unless we rest, we will be exhausted tomorrow.

Future state dependent on a subjunctive condition 'descansemos'.

5

Es una lástima que las plazas estén agotadas.

It is a pity that the spots are sold out.

Subjunctive 'estén' triggered by emotional expression 'es una lástima'.

6

El debate sobre este tema está totalmente agotado.

The debate on this topic is completely exhausted/played out.

Metaphorical use meaning a topic has no more value to discuss.

7

Me quedé agotado tras lidiar con tanta burocracia.

I ended up exhausted after dealing with so much bureaucracy.

Verb 'quedarse' indicating a resulting state.

8

Habrían ganado si no hubieran estado tan agotados.

They would have won if they hadn't been so exhausted.

Past perfect subjunctive in a conditional sentence.

1

El discurso del político resulta ya un tanto agotado y repetitivo.

The politician's speech is already somewhat exhausted and repetitive.

Using 'resultar' as a linking verb for abstract concepts.

2

Las vías diplomáticas se dan por agotadas.

Diplomatic channels are considered exhausted.

Passive reflexive structure 'se dan por' meaning 'are considered'.

3

Sufre de un síndrome de estar fundido, o crónicamente agotado.

He suffers from burnout syndrome, or being chronically exhausted.

Advanced vocabulary integration (crónicamente).

4

Es imperativo buscar alternativas antes de que el recurso quede agotado.

It is imperative to seek alternatives before the resource is depleted.

Subjunctive 'quede' in a time clause 'antes de que'.

5

La veta de la mina quedó agotada a finales del siglo pasado.

The mine's vein was depleted by the end of the last century.

Historical and technical context for depletion.

6

Su paciencia, otrora infinita, se hallaba ahora agotada.

His patience, once infinite, was now found to be exhausted.

Literary vocabulary (otrora) and verb (hallarse).

7

El formato televisivo está claramente agotado; necesitan innovar.

The television format is clearly exhausted; they need to innovate.

Critical analysis context.

8

Agotado por el constante escrutinio, decidió retirarse de la vida pública.

Exhausted by the constant scrutiny, he decided to retire from public life.

Participle phrase acting as an adverbial clause at the start of the sentence.

1

El paradigma imperante se percibe irremediablemente agotado.

The prevailing paradigm is perceived as irremediably exhausted.

Highly formal academic register with advanced adverbs.

2

Ante un filón literario ya agotado, el autor optó por el silencio.

Faced with an already exhausted literary vein, the author opted for silence.

Metaphorical use of 'filón' (vein/mine) for creativity.

3

La tierra, esquilmada y agotada, no rindió fruto alguno esa temporada.

The land, depleted and exhausted, yielded no fruit that season.

Pairing with near-synonyms (esquilmada) for poetic emphasis.

4

Se trata de un recurso retórico harto agotado en la oratoria contemporánea.

It is a rhetorical device quite exhausted in contemporary oratory.

Use of 'harto' as an adverb meaning 'very/quite' in formal Spanish.

5

Agotadas todas las instancias legales, solo quedaba el indulto.

All legal instances having been exhausted, only a pardon remained.

Absolute participle construction at the beginning of the sentence.

6

El manantial de su inspiración parecía haberse agotado de forma definitiva.

The spring of his inspiration seemed to have dried up definitively.

Complex infinitive structure 'haberse agotado'.

7

Asistimos al ocaso de un sistema político estructuralmente agotado.

We are witnessing the decline of a structurally exhausted political system.

Elevated vocabulary (ocaso, estructuralmente).

8

Lejos de estar agotado, el debate suscita hoy más controversia que nunca.

Far from being exhausted, the debate sparks more controversy today than ever.

Contrastive structure 'Lejos de estar...'.

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