Burnout
Meaning: Physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, especially from work.
WHO officially classified burnout as an 'occupational phenomenon' in 2019. Symptoms include exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy. Millennials have been called 'the burnout generation.' Beyond work, people talk about social burnout, parental burnout, and compassion burnout.
Examples
- I'm experiencing serious burnout — I need a vacation. 我正在经历严重的职业倦怠——我需要休个假。Estoy sufriendo un agotamiento serio: necesito unas vacaciones.深刻な燃え尽き症候群を経験している——休暇が必要だ。심각한 번아웃을 겪고 있어 — 휴가가 필요해.
- Burnout is an epidemic in American workplaces. 职业倦怠在美国职场已经成了流行病。El burnout es una epidemia en los lugares de trabajo estadounidenses.燃え尽き症候群はアメリカの職場で蔓延している。번아웃은 미국 직장에서 만연해 있다.
- She quit her job because of complete burnout. 她因为完全倦怠而辞职了。Ella dejó su trabajo por un agotamiento total.彼女は完全な燃え尽きが原因で仕事を辞めた。그녀는 완전한 번아웃 때문에 직장을 그만뒀다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: workplace, mental health, career
Tone: exhausted, serious
✓ Do Say
- I'm burned out.我倦怠了。Estoy quemado.I'm burned out.(燃え尽きている。)번아웃됐어.
- Burnout is real.职业倦怠是真实存在的。El burnout es real.Burnout is real.(燃え尽き症候群は本物だ。)번아웃은 진짜야.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't trivialize burnout — it's a recognized condition with real consequences.不要轻视职业倦怠——它是一种被认可的、有实际后果的状况。No trivialices el burnout: es una condición reconocida con consecuencias reales.燃え尽き症候群を軽視しないこと——実際の影響を伴う認知された症状である。번아웃을 가볍게 여기지 마라 — 실제 결과를 초래하는 인정된 상태다.
Origin & History
Term coined by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1974. Became mainstream American vocabulary in the 2010s as work-life balance discussions grew.
Cultural Context
Era: 2010s–present
Generation: Millennials, Gen Z
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: All regions — especially corporate culture
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