Meaning
To be extremely tired or worn out.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'polvo' can also be a slang term for a sexual act ('echar un polvo'). However, 'estar hecho polvo' is completely safe and non-sexual; everyone understands it means you are tired. While understood, Mexicans might also use 'estar bien tronado' or 'estar muerto' to express the same level of exhaustion. The phrase is often accompanied by a specific gesture: a deep sigh and a slight slump of the shoulders to emphasize the 'crumbled' feeling.
Gender Check
Always remember to change 'hecho' to 'hecha' if you are female. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
The 'Ser' Trap
Never say 'Soy hecho polvo.' It sounds like you are a statue made of dust.
Meaning
To be extremely tired or worn out.
Gender Check
Always remember to change 'hecho' to 'hecha' if you are female. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
The 'Ser' Trap
Never say 'Soy hecho polvo.' It sounds like you are a statue made of dust.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'hecho' or 'hecha'.
Mi hermana trabajó todo el día y ahora está ______ polvo.
Because 'mi hermana' is feminine, we use 'hecha'.
Which verb is correct for this idiom?
Nosotros ______ hechos polvo después del viaje.
Idioms describing states of being use 'estar'.
In which situation would you say 'Estoy hecho polvo'?
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase is used for extreme exhaustion.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Quieres ir a la fiesta? B: No, gracias. He tenido un día horrible y ______.
This is the standard masculine singular form.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gender Agreement
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMi hermana trabajó todo el día y ahora está ______ polvo.
Because 'mi hermana' is feminine, we use 'hecha'.
Nosotros ______ hechos polvo después del viaje.
Idioms describing states of being use 'estar'.
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase is used for extreme exhaustion.
A: ¿Quieres ir a la fiesta? B: No, gracias. He tenido un día horrible y ______.
This is the standard masculine singular form.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, if you have a friendly relationship, but 'estoy muy cansado' is safer in a formal setting.
No, it can also mean you are very sad or devastated by bad news.
Yes, it is understood everywhere, though some countries have their own local favorites.
Not at all. It's a standard, colorful idiom.
Related Phrases
Estar molido
synonymTo be ground up / exhausted
Estar para el arrastre
similarTo be ready to be dragged away
Estar como nuevo
contrastTo be like new
