A2 Expression Informel

疲れた

tsukareta

I'm tired

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The essential way to express physical or mental exhaustion after finishing a task or a long day.

  • Means: 'I'm tired' or 'I'm exhausted' (specifically after effort).
  • Used in: Casual settings with friends, family, or as a self-mutter.
  • Don't confuse: With {眠|ねむ}い (sleepy), which refers only to wanting to sleep.
🏃‍♂️ + 💦 = {疲|つか}れた

Explanation at your level:

In A1, you learn '{疲|つか}れた' as a simple word for 'I'm tired.' You use it after walking a lot or studying. It is a basic feeling. You should also know '{眠|ねむ}い' (sleepy) so you don't mix them up. It's a very useful word for daily life.
At A2, you understand that '{疲|つか}れた' is the past tense of '{疲|つか}れる.' You use it to talk about why you are tired, using 'kara' (because). You start to use the polite form '{疲|つか}れました' in shops or with teachers. You also learn the greeting '{お疲|つか}れ{様|さま}.'
In B1, you can describe different types of fatigue. You use adverbs like 'sugoku' (very) or 'chotto' (a bit). You can use the '{～て|...te}iru' form to describe someone else's state. You also begin to use it figuratively, like being tired of a specific situation or a repetitive task.
At B2, you master onomatopoeic expressions like 'hetoheto' or 'guttari.' You understand the nuance of using '{疲|つか}れた' as a social lubricant. You can discuss the social issues of overwork in Japan and use more complex grammar like the causative-passive to say you were 'made to be tired' by someone.
C1 learners use '{疲|つか}れた' within a wide range of synonyms like '{疲弊|ひへい}する' (to be impoverished/exhausted) or '{倦怠感|けんたいかん}' (fatigue/lassitude). You can analyze the etymology of the kanji and discuss how the concept of fatigue is portrayed in Japanese literature and media versus Western cultures.
At C2, you have a near-native grasp of the psychological and sociological implications of 'tsukare.' You can navigate the most subtle register shifts, knowing exactly when a sigh of '{疲|つか}れた' will build rapport and when it will cause offense. You understand the word's role in the 'aesthetic of effort' in Japanese society.

Signification

Statement indicating a feeling of exhaustion.

🌍

Contexte culturel

The phrase '{お疲|つか}れ{様|さま}' is used as a greeting in offices, meaning 'You look tired (because you worked hard).' It is essential for workplace harmony. Muttering '{疲|つか}れた' to oneself is a common way to release stress in public without directly complaining to others. There is a cultural concept called 'Iyashi' ({癒|い}やし) which refers to things that heal or soothe your 'tsukare' (fatigue), like hot springs or cute animals. The 'Salaryman' culture often equates being tired with being a productive member of society.

💡

The 'Sigh' Factor

Adding a long 'aa' at the end ({疲|つか}れたー) makes it sound much more natural and expressive of true fatigue.

⚠️

Careful with Superiors

Never say '{疲|つか}れた' directly to a boss. Use '{疲|つか}れました' or, better yet, don't mention it unless they ask.

Signification

Statement indicating a feeling of exhaustion.

💡

The 'Sigh' Factor

Adding a long 'aa' at the end ({疲|つか}れたー) makes it sound much more natural and expressive of true fatigue.

⚠️

Careful with Superiors

Never say '{疲|つか}れた' directly to a boss. Use '{疲|つか}れました' or, better yet, don't mention it unless they ask.

🎯

Use with 'Ne'

Adding 'ne' ({疲|つか}れたね) is a great way to bond with coworkers after a long shift.

💬

The Response

If someone says '{疲|つか}れた' to you, the most natural response is '{お疲|つか}れ{様|さま}' (Otsukaresama).

Teste-toi

Choose the correct word to say 'I'm tired' to a friend.

あー、＿＿＿＿。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : {疲|つか}れた

The past tense '{疲|つか}れた' is the standard casual way to say you are currently tired.

Fill in the blank with the polite form of the verb.

{仕事|しごと}が{忙|いそが}しくて、とても（　　　　　）。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : {疲|つか}れました

When speaking politely (indicated by 'totemo' and the context of work), use the '-mashita' form.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Situation: You are yawning and want to go to bed.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : {眠|ねむ}い

If you are yawning and want to sleep, the correct word is '{眠|ねむ}い' (sleepy), not '{疲|つか}れた'.

Complete the dialogue.

A: {今日|きょう}はたくさん{歩|ある}きましたね。 B: はい、＿＿＿＿。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : {疲|つか}れました

Since A uses the polite form 'arukimashita', B should respond with the polite form '{疲|つか}れました'.

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

Tired vs. Sleepy

{疲|つか}れた (Tired)
After gym Physical
After work Mental
{眠|ねむ}い (Sleepy)
Late at night Bedtime
Boring lecture Drowsy

Levels of Fatigue

😎

Casual

  • • {疲|つか}れた
  • • {疲|つか}れたー
🙇

Polite

  • • {疲|つか}れました
😵

Extreme

  • • へとへと
  • • くたくた

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Japanese verbs in the past tense often describe a state that has been reached. You 'became' tired, so now you 'are' tired.

Yes, but it's quite strong. '{彼|かれ}には{疲|つか}れた' means you are emotionally exhausted by him.

'{疲|つか}れた' is the immediate feeling. '{疲|つか}れている' describes a continuous state of being tired.

Absolutely not. It makes you look like you lack stamina or are already complaining.

You can say 'Chotto {疲|つか}れた' or 'Sukoshi {疲|つか}れた'.

Young people might say 'Tsu-ka-re-pi' (very casual/cute slang) or just 'Shinu' (I'm dying).

Yes! '{目|め}が{疲|つか}れた' (My eyes are tired/strained) is very common after using a computer.

It's an onomatopoeia for being so tired your body feels limp like boiled noodles.

Yes, '{疲|つか}れた' is the closest equivalent to 'I'm beat' or 'I'm pooped'.

No, use the polite form '{疲|つか}れました'.

Expressions liées

🔗

{お疲|つか}れ{様|さま}

builds on

Thank you for your hard work / Hello / Goodbye.

🔗

{眠|ねむ}い

similar

Sleepy.

🔗

{忙|いそが}しい

similar

Busy.

🔗

{休|やす}みたい

similar

I want to rest.

🔗

{元気|げんき}がない

similar

To have no energy.

Où l'utiliser

🏠

Coming home from work

Husband: ただいまー。あー、{疲|つか}れた。

Wife: おかえり。{お疲|つか}れ{様|さま}。

informal
🥾

After a long hike

Friend A: やっと{頂上|ちょうじょう}だ！

Friend B: もう{足|あし}が{疲|つか}れたよ。{休|やす}もう。

informal
💻

In the office (to self)

Employee: （ひとりごと）あー、{疲|つか}れたな。コーヒー{飲|の}もう。

neutral
🏋️

Finishing a workout

Gym Buddy: {今日|きょう}のトレーニング、きつかったね。

You: うん、すごく{疲|つか}れた。

informal
✈️

After a long flight

Traveler: １２{時間|じかん}のフライトは{疲|つか}れますね。

Staff: 大変|たいへんでしたね。ごゆっくりどうぞ。

neutral
🥳

End of a party

Host: {今日|きょう}はありがとう！

Guest: {楽|たの}しかった！でもちょっと{疲|つか}れたかな。

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **T**ired **SU**per **KA**rate **RE**feree **TA**king a nap.

Visual Association

Picture a salaryman in a suit, loosening his tie and collapsing onto a fluffy white cloud that says 'TSUKARETA' in soft letters.

Rhyme

Work is done, the day was great, but now I'm feeling tsukareta!

Story

You just finished a 10km run. Your legs feel like jelly. You reach your front door, drop your keys, and as you fall onto your bed, you let out a long breath: 'Tsu-ka-re-ta...'

Word Web

{疲|つか}れる{疲|つか}れ{疲|つか}れました{お疲|つか}れ{様|さま}{眠|ねむ}い{忙|いそが}しい{休|やす}む{元気|げんき}

Défi

Next time you finish a study session or a workout, say '{疲|つか}れたー' out loud with a big sigh.

In Other Languages

English high

I'm tired

Japanese uses past tense for current state; English uses present.

Spanish high

Estoy cansado/a

Spanish has gendered endings; Japanese does not.

French high

Je suis fatigué(e)

French uses the verb 'to be' (être) while Japanese uses a standalone verb.

German moderate

Ich bin müde

German 'müde' is much closer to 'sleepy' than '{疲|つか}れた' is.

Arabic high

أنا متعب (Ana mut'ab)

Arabic uses an adjective form; Japanese uses a verb form.

Chinese very_high

我累了 (Wǒ lèi le)

Grammatically very similar in how they handle the 'change of state' aspect.

Korean very_high

피곤해요 (Pigonhaeyo)

Korean uses a descriptive verb (adjective-like) while Japanese uses a standard verb.

Portuguese high

Estou cansado/a

Gender agreement is required in Portuguese.

Easily Confused

疲れた vs {眠|ねむ}い (Nemui)

English speakers use 'tired' for both, so they often say '{疲|つか}れた' when they want to sleep.

If you want a bed, say '{眠|ねむ}い'. If you want a chair, say '{疲|つか}れた'.

疲れた vs {憑|つ}かれる (Tsukareru)

Same pronunciation, but different kanji and meaning.

This means 'to be possessed (by a spirit).' Context usually makes it clear!

FAQ (10)

Japanese verbs in the past tense often describe a state that has been reached. You 'became' tired, so now you 'are' tired.

Yes, but it's quite strong. '{彼|かれ}には{疲|つか}れた' means you are emotionally exhausted by him.

'{疲|つか}れた' is the immediate feeling. '{疲|つか}れている' describes a continuous state of being tired.

Absolutely not. It makes you look like you lack stamina or are already complaining.

You can say 'Chotto {疲|つか}れた' or 'Sukoshi {疲|つか}れた'.

Young people might say 'Tsu-ka-re-pi' (very casual/cute slang) or just 'Shinu' (I'm dying).

Yes! '{目|め}が{疲|つか}れた' (My eyes are tired/strained) is very common after using a computer.

It's an onomatopoeia for being so tired your body feels limp like boiled noodles.

Yes, '{疲|つか}れた' is the closest equivalent to 'I'm beat' or 'I'm pooped'.

No, use the polite form '{疲|つか}れました'.

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