心力交瘁 in 30 Seconds
- A formal Chinese idiom meaning mental and physical exhaustion.
- Commonly used to describe 'burnout' in work or family life.
- Literally means 'heart and strength intersecting in fatigue'.
- Stronger and more formal than the basic word for 'tired' (累).
The Chinese idiom 心力交瘁 (xīnlì jiāocuì) is a profound expression used to describe a state of total exhaustion that transcends simple tiredness. It is a four-character chengyu that specifically targets the intersection of mental fatigue and physical collapse. When you use this word, you are communicating that your internal resources—both your cognitive energy and your physical stamina—have been completely depleted by a long period of stress, hard work, or emotional turmoil.
- Literal Meaning
- The character 心 (xīn) represents the heart or mind; 力 (lì) represents strength or physical power; 交 (jiāo) means simultaneously or intersecting; and 瘁 (cuì) means to be worn out or distressed. Together, they depict a scene where the mind and body are failing at the exact same time.
In modern Chinese society, this term is frequently invoked in discussions regarding high-pressure environments. It is the go-to phrase for describing 'burnout.' Whether it is a student preparing for the Gaokao (college entrance exam), a parent balancing work and childcare, or a professional dealing with endless overtime, the term captures the specific feeling of being 'spent' in every possible sense. It is not something you say after a long walk; it is something you say after a year of relentless struggle.
长时间的工作让他感到心力交瘁，他决定休假一段时间。(Cháng shíjiān de gōngzuò ràng tā gǎndào xīnlì jiāocuì, tā juédìng xiūjià yīduàn shíjiān.)
Historically, the term appears in classical texts to describe the toll of governance or deep familial duty. In contemporary usage, it has a slightly formal or literary tone, making it more impactful than colloquial terms like '累' (lèi - tired). When someone uses '心力交瘁', they are often seeking empathy for the depth of their struggle, rather than just stating a physical fact. It suggests a need for deep recovery and a withdrawal from the source of stress.
- Emotional Resonance
- The word carries a weight of sadness or desperation. It implies that the person has given their all and has nothing left to give. It is often paired with verbs like '感到' (gǎndào - to feel) or '显得' (xiǎnde - to appear).
照顾生病的母亲让他心力交瘁。(Zhàogù shēngbìng de mǔqīn ràng tā xīnlì jiāocuì.)
Understanding this word involves recognizing the value Chinese culture places on perseverance (坚持). Because perseverance is so highly valued, reaching the state of '心力交瘁' is seen as a significant event—it is the point where even the strongest will can no longer sustain the body. It is a warning sign that a change in lifestyle or environment is urgently necessary.
- Usage Contexts
- 1. Workplace Burnout: After years of high-intensity projects. 2. Caregiving: Dealing with long-term illness in the family. 3. Academic Pressure: Students during final exam seasons. 4. Emotional Breakdowns: Following a series of personal tragedies.
Using 心力交瘁 (xīnlì jiāocuì) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a stative verb or an adjective. In Chinese, idioms like this often function as the predicate of a sentence, meaning they can follow the subject directly or be used with an adverb of degree. However, because it is quite an intense word, it is rarely used with '很' (hěn - very) because the word itself already implies an extreme state.
- Pattern 1: Subject + 感到/觉得 + 心力交瘁
- This is the most common way to express your own feelings or describe someone else's internal state. It focuses on the subjective experience of exhaustion.
面对这些复杂的家庭矛盾，他感到心力交瘁。(Miànduì zhèxiē fùzá de jiātíng máodùn, tā gǎndào xīnlì jiāocuì.)
The word is frequently used in the '让/使' (ràng/shǐ - make/cause) construction. This allows you to identify the specific cause of the exhaustion. When something 'makes' you '心力交瘁', it highlights the external pressure that led to the collapse.
- Pattern 2: Cause + 让/使 + Person + 心力交瘁
- This structure is very common in formal writing and news reporting to describe the toll of events on individuals.
繁重的工作压力使她心力交瘁。(Fánzhòng de gōngzuò yālì shǐ tā xīnlì jiāocuì.)
You can also use it as an attributive adjective to describe a person's appearance or state. In this case, you add '的' (de) after the idiom to modify a noun, usually '样子' (yàngzi - appearance) or '状态' (zhuàngtài - state).
- Pattern 3: 心力交瘁 + 的 + Noun
- Use this to describe the visible toll of stress on someone's being.
他那副心力交瘁的样子，真让人担心。(Tā nà fù xīnlì jiāocuì de yàngzi, zhēn ràng rén dānxīn.)
When writing, remember that '心力交瘁' is a powerful word. Overusing it can make your writing seem overly dramatic. Save it for situations that truly warrant such a strong description of burnout. It is particularly effective in narratives where a character has been struggling for a long time and has finally reached their limit.
While 心力交瘁 (xīnlì jiāocuì) might seem like a literary term found only in books, it is actually quite common in specific real-life scenarios. You will hear it in news broadcasts, health podcasts, workplace counseling, and heartfelt conversations between close friends. Its usage reflects the high-intensity nature of modern Chinese life.
- In the Workplace
- In China's competitive corporate world, especially in the tech industry's '996' culture (working 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week), '心力交瘁' is a standard term used to describe the phenomenon of burnout. You might hear it during HR exit interviews or in articles discussing mental health in the workplace.
很多年轻人因为长期的加班而感到心力交瘁。(Hěnduō niánqīngrén yīnwèi chángqī de jiābān ér gǎndào xīnlì jiāocuì.)
In the realm of family and caregiving, this word is used with deep empathy. China's 'sandwich generation'—those who must care for both young children and aging parents—often find themselves in this state. It is a common topic in social media discussions about the 'involution' (内卷 - nèijuǎn) of modern society, where everyone is working harder but seeing fewer rewards.
- In News and Media
- Journalists use '心力交瘁' to describe the condition of people who have survived natural disasters, or the state of political leaders during times of crisis. It adds a layer of human struggle to the reporting.
在连续工作了48小时后，医生们已经心力交瘁。(Zài liánxù gōngzuòle sìshíbā xiǎoshí hòu, yīshēngmen yǐjīng xīnlì jiāocuì.)
Finally, in academic settings, this word is often used by students or teachers during the high-stress periods of the school year. It is a way to acknowledge that the pressure isn't just about the volume of work, but the mental toll of high expectations. When a teacher says, '看到你们这么努力，我也感到心力交瘁' (Seeing you work so hard, I also feel exhausted), it is an expression of shared burden and empathy.
- Summary of Hearing Contexts
- - Discussing burnout in podcasts. - Describing the toll of long-term caregiving. - News reports on high-stress professions. - Dramatic moments in TV shows and movies. - Formal complaints about work-life balance.
Learning to use 心力交瘁 (xīnlì jiāocuì) involves avoiding several common pitfalls. Because it is a specific type of exhaustion, using it in the wrong context can make you sound melodramatic or simply incorrect. Here are the most frequent mistakes learners make.
- Mistake 1: Using it for simple physical tiredness
- If you just finished a gym session or a short run, do not use '心力交瘁'. That is '筋疲力尽' (jīnpí lìjìn) or simply '很累' (hěn lèi). '心力交瘁' requires a mental or emotional component.
❌ 跑完五公里后，我感到心力交瘁。(Pǎowán wǔ gōnglǐ hòu, wǒ gǎndào xīnlì jiāocuì.)
✅ 跑完五公里后，我感到筋疲力尽。(Pǎowán wǔ gōnglǐ hòu, wǒ gǎndào jīnpí lìjìn.)
Another common error is forgetting that '心力交瘁' is an idiom (chengyu) and trying to break it apart or change the characters. Chengyu are fixed expressions. You cannot say '心力很瘁' or '心交力瘁'. The four characters must stay together in that exact order to maintain their meaning and formal register.
- Mistake 2: Overusing '很' (hěn)
- While '很心力交瘁' is sometimes heard in very casual speech, it is technically redundant and grammatically awkward. The word '交' (simultaneously) and '瘁' (worn out) already imply a high degree. It is better to use '感到' (feel) or '已经' (already).
Learners also sometimes confuse '心力交瘁' with '心力衰竭' (xīnlì shuāijié). While they sound similar, '心力衰竭' is a specific medical term for 'heart failure.' Using the medical term when you mean 'burnout' would be a very confusing and potentially alarming mistake!
- Mistake 3: Confusing with medical terms
- '心力交瘁' = Burnout (Mental/Physical). '心力衰竭' = Heart Failure (Medical condition).
❌ 他因为压力大而心力衰竭。(He has heart failure due to pressure - Too extreme/medical.)
✅ 他因为压力大而心力交瘁。(He is burnt out due to pressure.)
Finally, ensure the subject of the sentence is a person or a group of people. You cannot describe a situation as '心力交瘁'. The situation might *cause* someone to be '心力交瘁', but the situation itself is '繁重' (fánzhòng - heavy) or '艰难' (jiānnán - difficult).
To truly master 心力交瘁 (xīnlì jiāocuì), you should understand how it compares to other Chinese words for tiredness and exhaustion. Chinese has a rich vocabulary for describing various states of fatigue, each with its own nuance and register.
- 筋疲力尽 (jīnpí lìjìn)
- This is the closest synonym but focuses more on the physical. '筋' (muscles/tendons) and '皮' (skin/flesh) are exhausted. Use this after a marathon or a day of heavy lifting. It lacks the deep 'mental/emotional' weight of '心力交瘁'.
- 疲惫不堪 (píbèi bùkān)
- '不堪' means 'unbearable.' This is a very strong way to say 'extremely tired.' It can be used for both mental and physical fatigue but is slightly more general than '心力交瘁'. It's a great all-purpose word for extreme exhaustion.
- 劳累 (láolèi)
- A common, everyday word. It implies tiredness from work or labor. It is much less intense than '心力交瘁'. You might feel '劳累' after a normal day at the office.
Comparison: - 劳累: 'I had a long day.' - 筋疲力尽: 'My body is jelly.' - 心力交瘁: 'My soul and my body are both broken by this burden.'
In formal or poetic writing, you might encounter 精疲力竭 (jīngpí lìjié). This is almost identical to '筋疲力尽' but '精' refers to 'essence' or 'spirit.' It is a very close alternative to '心力交瘁' but '心力交瘁' remains the most common choice for modern 'burnout' scenarios.
When choosing between these, consider the source of the fatigue. If the source is purely physical, avoid '心'. If the source is purely mental, '疲惫不堪' is safe. If it is the crushing weight of both, '心力交瘁' is the most accurate and descriptive term you can use.
- Quick Reference Table
- - **心力交瘁**: Mental + Physical (Burnout) - **筋疲力尽**: Physical (Muscle fatigue) - **疲惫不堪**: General Extreme Fatigue - **劳累**: Normal work tiredness
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The character '瘁' (cuì) contains the 'sickness' radical (疒), indicating that this level of exhaustion was traditionally viewed as a near-pathological state, not just normal tiredness.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'cui' as 'chui' (like 'chew-ee').
- Confusing the tones: saying 'xin' with a falling tone instead of a high level tone.
- Misreading '瘁' (cuì) as '碎' (suì - broken).
Difficulty Rating
Idioms are generally harder to read because of the rare character '瘁'.
The character '瘁' is difficult to write correctly from memory.
Pronunciation is straightforward if tones are mastered.
Easy to recognize once the 'Xin-Li' start is heard.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Chengyu as Predicate
他心力交瘁。
The 'Ràng' (Let/Make) Causative
这件事让他心力交瘁。
Adverbial 'De' (地)
他心力交瘁地叹了口气。
Attributive 'De' (的)
心力交瘁的状态很难改变。
Degree Adverbs with Chengyu
他显得极其心力交瘁。
Examples by Level
我很累，心力交瘁。
I am very tired, mentally and physically exhausted.
Subject + 很累 + 心力交瘁.
他心力交瘁，想睡觉。
He is exhausted and wants to sleep.
Subject + 心力交瘁 + Verb.
工作多，我心力交瘁。
Too much work, I am exhausted.
Cause, Subject + 心力交瘁.
你不应该心力交瘁。
You should not be so exhausted.
Negative: 不应该 + 心力交瘁.
妈妈心力交瘁了。
Mom is mentally and physically exhausted.
Subject + 心力交瘁 + 了 (change of state).
他看起来心力交瘁。
He looks exhausted.
Subject + 看起来 + 心力交瘁.
学习让我心力交瘁。
Studying makes me exhausted.
Subject + 让 + Person + 心力交瘁.
医生也心力交瘁。
Doctors are also exhausted.
Subject + 也 + 心力交瘁.
长时间的考试让我心力交瘁。
The long exams left me mentally and physically exhausted.
Using '让' to show cause.
他感到心力交瘁，需要休息。
He feels exhausted and needs to rest.
感到 + 心力交瘁.
照顾孩子让她心力交瘁。
Taking care of the children has left her exhausted.
Gerund-like phrase as subject.
这场比赛让他心力交瘁。
This match left him mentally and physically spent.
Noun + 让 + Person + 心力交瘁.
虽然心力交瘁，他还在努力。
Although exhausted, he is still working hard.
虽然...但是... structure.
我从来没有这么心力交瘁过。
I have never been this exhausted before.
从来没有...过 structure.
他那副心力交瘁的样子很可怜。
His exhausted appearance is very pitiful.
Attributive use: 心力交瘁 + 的 + 样子.
为了这个项目，大家都心力交瘁。
For this project, everyone is exhausted.
为了... (purpose), Subject + 心力交瘁.
连续加班一个月，他已经心力交瘁了。
After working overtime for a month, he is already exhausted.
Already (已经) + 心力交瘁 + 了.
这种生活压力让人感到心力交瘁。
This kind of life pressure makes people feel exhausted.
Abstract subject + 让人感到 + 心力交瘁.
她为了家庭心力交瘁，却没人理解。
She is exhausted for her family, but no one understands.
Contrast using '却' (but/yet).
面对失败，他感到前所未有的心力交瘁。
In the face of failure, he felt an unprecedented exhaustion.
前所未有的 (unprecedented) modifying the state.
医生警告他，再这样下去会心力交瘁的。
The doctor warned him that he would be exhausted if he continued like this.
Condition + 会...的 (future/likelihood).
他心力交瘁地坐在长椅上。
He sat on the bench, mentally and physically exhausted.
Adverbial use: 心力交瘁 + 地 + Verb.
这个复杂的问题让我们都心力交瘁。
This complex problem has left us all exhausted.
Plural subject + 都 + 心力交瘁.
经过长时间的心理斗争，他感到心力交瘁。
After a long mental struggle, he felt exhausted.
经过... (after) phrase.
由于长期的精神紧张，他显得心力交瘁。
Due to long-term mental tension, he appeared exhausted.
由于 (due to) + Cause, Subject + 显得 (appear).
这篇文章描述了一个心力交瘁的母亲的形象。
This article describes the image of an exhausted mother.
Adjective modifying a noun (母亲).
他虽然获得了成功，但已是心力交瘁。
Although he achieved success, he was already exhausted.
已是 (already is) + 心力交瘁.
这种无休止的争吵使夫妻俩都心力交瘁。
This endless arguing has left the couple exhausted.
使 (cause) + Object + Result.
他试图掩饰自己心力交瘁的状态。
He tried to hide his state of exhaustion.
掩饰 (hide/mask) + Noun phrase.
在灾难面前，救援人员也难免心力交瘁。
In the face of disaster, it's hard for rescuers not to be exhausted.
难免 (hard to avoid) + 心力交瘁.
他心力交瘁，再也无法承担更多的责任。
He is exhausted and can no longer take on more responsibility.
再也无法 (no longer able to) + Verb.
这种心力交瘁的感觉让他想逃离一切。
This feeling of exhaustion makes him want to escape everything.
The state as a subject of the sentence.
他在多重压力之下，早已心力交瘁，濒临崩溃。
Under multiple pressures, he had long been exhausted and was on the verge of collapse.
濒临 (on the verge of) + Noun.
这部电影深刻地揭示了现代职场人心力交瘁的现状。
The movie profoundly reveals the current state of exhaustion among modern professionals.
揭示 (reveal) + Object phrase.
他那双疲惫的眼睛里透露出心力交瘁的神情。
His tired eyes revealed an expression of mental and physical exhaustion.
透露出 (reveal) + Noun phrase.
长期的病痛折磨使他心力交瘁，失去了对生活的信心。
The long-term suffering from illness left him exhausted and he lost faith in life.
使 (cause) + Person + Result + Result 2.
他在处理这些棘手问题时，感到前所未有的心力交瘁。
While dealing with these thorny issues, he felt an unprecedented exhaustion.
处理...时 (while dealing with) phrase.
这种心力交瘁并非一日之寒，而是长期积累的结果。
This exhaustion didn't happen overnight; it's the result of long-term accumulation.
并非...而是... (not... but rather...) structure.
他心力交瘁，却仍要强打精神去面对媒体。
He was exhausted, yet he still had to force himself to face the media.
强打精神 (force oneself to cheer up).
社会的高度竞争让许多人陷入了心力交瘁的境地。
The high level of social competition has caused many people to fall into a state of exhaustion.
陷入...境地 (fall into a situation).
纵使他有钢铁般的意志，也难敌这连番打击带来的心力交瘁。
Even if he has a will of iron, he cannot resist the exhaustion brought by these successive blows.
纵使...也... (even if... still...) structure.
他在权力的巅峰感到的却是无尽的心力交瘁与孤独。
What he felt at the peak of power was endless exhaustion and loneliness.
Emphasis structure using '感到的却是'.
这种心力交瘁的状态，成了他创作中挥之不去的阴影。
This state of exhaustion became a lingering shadow in his creative work.
挥之不去 (lingering/impossible to shake off).
他试图从这种心力交瘁的泥潭中挣脱出来，却发现越陷越深。
He tried to break free from this quagmire of exhaustion, only to find himself sinking deeper.
泥潭 (quagmire/muddy pit) metaphor.
史书上记载，这位皇帝晚年因为国事繁重而心力交瘁。
Historical records state that the emperor was exhausted in his later years due to heavy state affairs.
Formal historical register.
心力交瘁不仅是生理上的透支，更是灵魂上的干涸。
Exhaustion is not just physical overdrawing, but also the drying up of the soul.
不仅是...更是... (not only... but even more...) structure.
他在这种心力交瘁的折磨下，性格变得愈发孤僻。
Under the torment of this exhaustion, his personality became increasingly withdrawn.
愈发 (increasingly) + Adjective.
这种心力交瘁，是对他多年来不计后果地付出的沉重代价。
This exhaustion is the heavy price for his years of reckless giving.
Appositive structure explaining the price.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— On the verge of total burnout.
他正处于心力交瘁的边缘。
— Both body and mind are damaged and exhausted.
这场大病让他身心俱损，心力交瘁。
— Exhausted for the sake of one's career.
他为了事业心力交瘁，忽略了健康。
— So exhausted that one has no time for anything else.
他已心力交瘁，无暇他顾。
— Years of accumulated exhaustion.
长年累月的心力交瘁摧毁了他的健康。
— Too exhausted to continue.
公司由于资金问题，让他心力交瘁，难以为继。
— Exhaustion caused by mental pressure.
精神压力导致的心力交瘁需要心理咨询。
— An exhausted sigh.
他发出一声心力交瘁的叹息。
— Exhausted and hair turned white (from stress).
他心力交瘁，年纪轻轻就满头白发。
— Rebirth after total burnout.
这是他心力交瘁后的重生。
Often Confused With
This is a medical term for heart failure. Don't use it for general burnout.
This specifically refers to looking worn out or haggard in the face.
This is primarily physical exhaustion, while 心力交瘁 includes mental strain.
Idioms & Expressions
— The primary idiom of this lesson, meaning mentally and physically spent.
他心力交瘁。
Formal/Literary— To work one's heart out; to put in painstaking effort (usually positive).
老师呕心沥血地教导学生。
Positive/Formal— To exhaust one's thoughts and energy on something.
他为这个计划殚精竭虑。
Formal— Exhausted of all energy and strength.
战士们精疲力竭。
Formal— Completely physical exhaustion.
搬完家后，我筋疲力尽。
Neutral— Both body and mind are sick/exhausted.
他近来身心交病。
Literary— To forget to eat and sleep (due to hard work).
他废寝忘食地工作。
Positive/Neutral— To attend to numerous state affairs every day (usually for leaders).
总理日理万机，心力交瘁。
Very Formal— Unbearably tired.
他疲惫不堪地倒在床上。
Neutral— To exert both mind and strength (often used for parents).
养孩子真是劳心劳力。
Neutral/InformalEasily Confused
Both mean tired.
疲惫 is a general adjective; 心力交瘁 is a specific, stronger idiom.
他很疲惫。(He is tired.)
Both relate to work.
劳累 is common and less intense; 心力交瘁 is extreme.
今天有点劳累。(A bit tired today.)
Both are end-states of stress.
崩溃 is the actual breakdown; 心力交瘁 is the state of exhaustion leading to it.
他崩溃了。(He broke down.)
Both feel like burnout.
厌倦 is being 'sick and tired' or bored of something; 心力交瘁 is being 'worn out' by it.
他厌倦了战争。(He is sick of war.)
Both mean lack of strength.
虚弱 is physical weakness (often from illness); 心力交瘁 is from stress/work.
身体虚弱。(Physically weak.)
Sentence Patterns
我感到...
我感到心力交瘁。
...让我感到...
考试让我感到心力交瘁。
由于...，他显得...
由于过度劳累，他显得心力交瘁。
在...的双重压力下，他...
在工作和生活的双重压力下，他心力交瘁。
纵使...，也难免...
纵使是强者，也难免会感到心力交瘁。
...的样子
他心力交瘁的样子。
已经...了
他已经心力交瘁了。
再也无法...
他心力交瘁，再也无法坚持了。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in media and literature; moderate in daily speech.
-
Using it for a one-day event.
→
Using it for long-term stress.
You don't get '心力交瘁' from one day of work; it requires a period of time.
-
Saying '心力交瘁了我的身体' (Exhausted my body).
→
这让我的身体心力交瘁。
It's usually a state you feel, not a verb that takes a direct object in that way.
-
Writing '碎' instead of '瘁'.
→
心力交瘁
'碎' means broken (like glass); '瘁' means worn out/sick.
-
Confusing with '心力衰竭'.
→
心力交瘁
One is burnout, the other is heart failure.
-
Using it for purely physical sports fatigue.
→
筋疲力尽
If there's no mental strain, '心' shouldn't be in the word.
Tips
Context Matters
Only use this word when both the mind and body are exhausted. If you just have a sore back, use '腰酸背痛' instead.
Placement
Place '心力交瘁' after '感到' or '觉得' for a natural-sounding sentence.
Pairing
It pairs well with '长期' (long-term) and '压力' (pressure).
Social Context
In China, this word is often used to critique the high-pressure work culture.
No Modifiers
Avoid saying '一点点心力交瘁'. You are either in this state or you aren't; it's an extreme.
Tone Accuracy
The 4th tone on 'cui' is crucial; if you say it with a flat tone, people might not understand.
Character Breakdown
Remember: 心 (Mind) + 力 (Body) + 交 (Together) + 瘁 (Worn out).
Literature
When you see this in a book, expect the character to make a big decision soon, like quitting or moving.
News Reports
News anchors often use this to describe the toll of a crisis on leaders or workers.
Variation
Use '身心俱疲' as a synonym if you want to avoid repeating '心力交瘁' in a long essay.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a HEART (心) and a MUSCLE (力) crossing (交) each other like two swords, but both swords are BROKEN/CRACKED (瘁).
Visual Association
A battery icon that is flashing red in two places: one representing the brain and one representing the body.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to write a sentence describing a time you felt '心力交瘁' using at least 15 Chinese characters.
Word Origin
The term originates from classical Chinese literature, where '心' (heart/mind) and '力' (strength) were often paired to represent the totality of human effort. '交' indicates the meeting or simultaneous occurrence of states, and '瘁' is an ancient character meaning to suffer from toil or to be worn out.
Original meaning: To be completely worn out in both mind and body due to excessive labor or worry.
Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)Cultural Context
Be careful when using this word about someone else; it implies they are in a very bad state. Use it with empathy.
The closest English equivalent is 'Total Burnout' or being 'at the end of one's rope,' but '心力交瘁' sounds more formal and poetic.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Workplace
- 加班太多
- 项目压力
- 职业倦怠
- 辞职休息
Family
- 照顾老人
- 教育孩子
- 家庭矛盾
- 经济负担
School
- 考试压力
- 竞争激烈
- 熬夜学习
- 申请学校
Health
- 长期失眠
- 精神紧张
- 需要静养
- 心理医生
Relationships
- 感情破裂
- 无休止的争吵
- 单方面付出
- 彻底绝望
Conversation Starters
"你最近看起来心力交瘁，出什么事了吗？ (You look exhausted lately, did something happen?)"
"你觉得现在的年轻人为什么容易感到心力交瘁？ (Why do you think young people today easily feel exhausted?)"
"当感到心力交瘁时，你通常怎么放松？ (When you feel exhausted, how do you usually relax?)"
"为了梦想而心力交瘁，你觉得值得吗？ (Is it worth being exhausted for your dreams?)"
"长时间的心力交瘁会对健康有什么影响？ (What impact does long-term exhaustion have on health?)"
Journal Prompts
描述一次你感到心力交瘁的经历，以及你是如何走出来的。 (Describe a time you felt exhausted and how you got through it.)
写一封信给心力交瘁的自己，给自己一些鼓励。 (Write a letter to your exhausted self, giving some encouragement.)
你认为社会应该如何减少人们的心力交瘁感？ (How do you think society should reduce people's sense of exhaustion?)
如果你的朋友心力交瘁，你会对他说什么？ (If your friend was exhausted, what would you say to them?)
探讨‘坚持’与‘心力交瘁’之间的界限。 (Explore the boundary between 'perseverance' and 'exhaustion'.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it can be used for any situation involving long-term mental and physical strain, such as caregiving, studying, or even difficult personal relationships.
It's better to say '我感到心力交瘁' or '我已经心力交瘁了'. Adding '很' (very) is a bit redundant for a chengyu.
'筋疲力尽' is mostly physical (like after sports). '心力交瘁' always involves mental and emotional exhaustion too.
It is negative, as it describes a state of extreme fatigue and suffering.
Yes, if you are explaining why you need a break or why a project was too difficult, though it is quite strong.
It has the 'sickness' radical on top (疒) and the character for 'pure' (卒) underneath.
Yes, especially among adults discussing life pressures or in dramatic contexts.
No, it usually implies the exhaustion is the result of a long, sustained effort or struggle.
'精力充沛' (energetic) or '神采奕奕' (glowing with spirit).
Yes, it is more formal than '累' (lèi) but very common in both written and spoken Mandarin.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Write a sentence using '心力交瘁' to describe a busy student.
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Translate: 'The heavy workload made him mentally and physically exhausted.'
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Use '感到' and '心力交瘁' in a sentence about family pressure.
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Describe someone's appearance using '心力交瘁'.
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Write a sentence about burnout in the workplace.
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Translate: 'After years of struggle, he was already exhausted.'
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Write a sentence using the '使' (cause) pattern.
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Use '心力交瘁' to describe a doctor during a pandemic.
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Translate: 'I have never felt so exhausted before.'
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Write a short paragraph (2 sentences) about a person quitting their job due to exhaustion.
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Use '心力交瘁' as an adjective for '样子'.
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Translate: 'Exhaustion is the price of his success.'
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Write a sentence about a mother caring for a sick child.
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Use '虽然...但是...' with '心力交瘁'.
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Write a formal sentence about a historical leader.
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Translate: 'Endless meetings make me feel exhausted.'
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Write a sentence about a runner (incorrect usage - test knowledge).
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Use '早已' (long ago) with '心力交瘁'.
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Translate: 'His exhausted state affected his health.'
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Write a sentence about the 'sandwich generation'.
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Pronounce the word '心力交瘁' clearly with correct tones.
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Use '心力交瘁' to answer the question: 'How do you feel after a month of overtime?'
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Describe a character in a movie who is '心力交瘁'.
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Compare '很累' and '心力交瘁' in your own words.
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Give a piece of advice to someone who is '心力交瘁'.
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Talk about why modern workers often feel '心力交瘁'.
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Read this sentence aloud: '繁重的工作使他心力交瘁。'
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Explain the literal meaning of the four characters in '心力交瘁'.
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How would you tell your boss you are '心力交瘁' politely?
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Tell a short story about a time you felt this way.
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Discuss the impact of '心力交瘁' on family life.
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Is '心力交瘁' a common word in your language? Explain.
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Describe the appearance of someone who is '心力交瘁'.
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What are the common causes of '心力交瘁' for students?
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Roleplay: A doctor talking to an overworked patient.
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Discuss if '心力交瘁' is avoidable in today's society.
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Pronounce '瘁' (cuì) and '碎' (suì) and explain the difference.
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Use the phrase '心力交瘁的边缘' in a sentence.
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What is the cultural significance of this word in China?
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Summarize the key points of the lesson on '心力交瘁'.
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Listen to the sentence: '面对这些问题，我真的心力交瘁。' What is the speaker's state?
Listen: '他已经心力交瘁了，让他休息吧。' What should he do?
Listen: '这种生活压力让他心力交瘁。' What is causing his exhaustion?
Identify the idiom in this audio: [Audio of a person sighing and saying '心力交瘁']
Listen: '他显得心力交瘁。' Does he look energetic?
Listen to a news snippet: '...救援人员已经连续工作48小时，心力交瘁...' How long have they worked?
Listen: '我不想再过这种心力交瘁的生活了。' Does the speaker like their life?
Listen: '他那副心力交瘁的样子真让人担心。' Why are people worried?
Listen: '心力交瘁不是小事。' Is it a minor problem?
Listen: '由于家事繁重，她感到心力交瘁。' What is the source of stress?
Listen: '他早已心力交瘁。' Has he been exhausted for a while?
Listen: '这种心力交瘁的感觉无法用言语表达。' Can the feeling be described easily?
Listen: '为了这个项目，他心力交瘁。' What did he do for the project?
Listen: '心力交瘁是现代人的通病。' Is this problem common?
Listen: '他心力交瘁地回到了家。' How did he return home?
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
心力交瘁 (xīnlì jiāocuì) is the ultimate word for burnout. Use it to describe a deep, multi-layered exhaustion that affects both the mind and the body, such as after a year of intense caregiving or a high-pressure project.
- A formal Chinese idiom meaning mental and physical exhaustion.
- Commonly used to describe 'burnout' in work or family life.
- Literally means 'heart and strength intersecting in fatigue'.
- Stronger and more formal than the basic word for 'tired' (累).
Context Matters
Only use this word when both the mind and body are exhausted. If you just have a sore back, use '腰酸背痛' instead.
Placement
Place '心力交瘁' after '感到' or '觉得' for a natural-sounding sentence.
Pairing
It pairs well with '长期' (long-term) and '压力' (pressure).
Social Context
In China, this word is often used to critique the high-pressure work culture.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
