Meaning
I am exhausted.
Cultural Background
The Dutch value 'nuchterheid' (pragmatism). Admitting you are 'gesloopt' is a way to be honest about your limits without being overly emotional. In Flanders, you might hear 'stikkapot' more often than 'gesloopt', though 'gesloopt' is understood. The tone is often slightly softer. In modern tech startups in Amsterdam, 'gesloopt' is often used after a 'sprint' or a 'hackathon'. It's part of the 'work hard, play hard' vocabulary. Students use 'gesloopt' to describe the feeling after a 'tentamenweek' (exam week) or a heavy night of drinking.
Add 'helemaal'
To sound like a native, always add 'helemaal' (completely) before 'gesloopt'. It adds the necessary drama.
Watch the 'g'
Make sure your 'g' is soft enough; if it's too harsh, you might sound angry instead of tired.
Meaning
I am exhausted.
Add 'helemaal'
To sound like a native, always add 'helemaal' (completely) before 'gesloopt'. It adds the necessary drama.
Watch the 'g'
Make sure your 'g' is soft enough; if it's too harsh, you might sound angry instead of tired.
The Sigh
Dutch people often start this sentence with a deep sigh ('Poeh...') for maximum effect.
Body Parts
You can use it for body parts! 'Mijn voeten zijn gesloopt' is very common after a day of shopping.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'zijn' and the phrase.
Na die marathon van 42 kilometer ___ ik echt helemaal _______.
We use 'zijn' (ben) to describe a state of being.
Which sentence is the most natural for a casual conversation?
You just finished a 10-hour shift at a cafe. What do you say to your roommate?
'Gesloopt' is the most natural informal way to express this.
Match the phrase to the intensity.
Match: 1. Een beetje moe, 2. Gesloopt, 3. Klaarwakker
'Gesloopt' matches the highest intensity of effort.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesNa die marathon van 42 kilometer ___ ik echt helemaal _______.
We use 'zijn' (ben) to describe a state of being.
You just finished a 10-hour shift at a cafe. What do you say to your roommate?
'Gesloopt' is the most natural informal way to express this.
Match: 1. Een beetje moe, 2. Gesloopt, 3. Klaarwakker
'Gesloopt' matches the highest intensity of effort.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's not a swear word. It's just very informal slang. You can use it with friends and family without any problem.
Only if you have a very casual relationship. In a formal office, it's better to say 'Ik ben erg moe' or 'Het was een zware dag'.
They are almost identical. 'Gesloopt' feels slightly more 'heavy' and physical, while 'kapot' is used for everything from a broken phone to a tired person.
Yes! You can say 'Ik ben mentaal gesloopt' after a long day of studying or meetings.
Not necessarily. It usually means you are tired from effort. If you are sick, you would say 'Ik voel me niet lekker'.
Yes, but 'stikkapot' or 'moe' are slightly more common in Flanders.
Ik sloop, jij sloopt, wij slopen. The past participle is 'gesloopt'.
Only if the food was so heavy it made you extremely tired (like a massive Christmas dinner). It's a bit funny but possible.
The formal equivalent would be 'Ik ben uitgeput' or 'Ik ben oververmoeid'.
Yes, but then it means the object is literally destroyed. 'Mijn auto is gesloopt' means your car is at the junkyard.
Related Phrases
kapot zijn
synonymTo be broken/exhausted
bekaf zijn
synonymTo be dog-tired
gaar zijn
similarTo be 'cooked' / mentally fried
brak zijn
specialized formTo be hungover
erdoorheen zitten
builds onTo be at one's breaking point
