ヘトヘト

• Reading: へとへと
• Romaji: heto heto
• Pronunciation: /he.to.he.to/

Meaning

Completely exhausted, drained of all energy — utterly spent both physically and mentally.

ヘトヘト describes total exhaustion — when you've used up every last bit of energy and can barely stand or think. It's stronger than just 'tired' (疲れた) and implies you've been pushed to your absolute limit. Common after grueling work shifts, intense exercise, or long travel. The へ sound has a deflating quality that perfectly captures the feeling of collapsing from fatigue.

Examples

1. 残業続きでもうヘトヘトだよ。 I've been working overtime nonstop, I'm totally wiped out.
2. マラソン完走してヘトヘトだけど達成感がすごい。 I'm dead tired from finishing the marathon, but the sense of accomplishment is incredible.
3. ヘトヘトで帰ってきてそのままソファで寝落ちした。 I came home completely exhausted and passed out on the couch.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, work, after exercise

Tone: exhausted, drained

Do Say

• もうヘトヘト、早く寝たい (I'm totally exhausted, I want to sleep)
• 仕事終わりでヘトヘトなのに飲み会かよ (I'm wiped out from work and now a drinking party?)

Don't Say

• ちょっとだけ疲れた時に「ヘトヘト」は大げさ (Using 'heto heto' when you're just a little tired is dramatic)

Common Mistakes

• Confusing with クタクタ — both mean exhausted, but ヘトヘト emphasizes being drained while クタクタ emphasizes being worn out
• Using in formal reports — say 疲弊しています instead

Origin & History

Onomatopoeia expressing the physical sensation of being utterly drained. The soft へ (he) sound mimics the exhausted exhale and weakened state of someone who has no energy left. Long established in Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional onomatopoeia

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Extremely common in conversations about work-life balance and overtime culture.