疲れる
つかれる·tsukareru
Meaning
to get tired; to become exhausted; to be worn out
Nuance & Usage
疲れる is an intransitive ichidan verb meaning to become tired. The resulting state is expressed with 疲れている (tired) or 疲れた (got tired). 疲れた is one of the most natural things to say after a long day, roughly equivalent to "I'm exhausted" or "I'm done in." Related: 疲れ (tsukare — fatigue), 疲労 (hirou — more formal/medical fatigue), 疲れが取れる (fatigue is relieved), お疲れ様です (otsukare sama desu — a common workplace greeting acknowledging someone's work/effort).
Common Mistakes
The phrase お疲れ様です (otsukare sama desu) is an essential Japanese expression said to colleagues when they finish work or after completing a task. Learners often don't know when to use it — basically any time someone finishes an effort. Another common mistake: saying 疲れています when you mean 疲れました. Both work, but 疲れています (ongoing tired state) vs 疲れました (I got/became tired — result). Don't confuse 疲れる (tired) with 眠い (nemui — sleepy).
Example Sentences (3)
今日はたくさん歩いて疲れました。
きょうはたくさんあるいてつかれました。
I'm tired from walking a lot today.
疲れているときは無理をしないでください。
つかれているときはむりをしないでください。
Please don't push yourself when you're tired.
お疲れ様でした。今日も一日よく頑張りましたね。
おつかれさまでした。きょうもいちにちよくがんばりましたね。
Good work today. You worked hard all day again.
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Quick Quiz
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