疲れ

• Reading: つかれ
• Romaji: tsukare
• Kanji breakdown: 疲 (hi/tsuka) — tired, exhausted
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ka.ɾe/

Meaning

Tiredness; fatigue. The state of being physically or mentally worn out.

A noun form of the verb 疲れる (tsukareru, to get tired). Used as a standalone noun: 疲れが取れる (tsukare ga toreru, fatigue lifts), 疲れが溜まる (tsukare ga tamaru, fatigue accumulates), 目の疲れ (me no tsukare, eye strain). Can refer to physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion.

Examples

1. 一日の疲れが温泉に入ると取れる。 A hot spring bath washes away a whole day's fatigue.
2. 最近仕事が忙しくて疲れが溜まっている。 Work has been so busy lately that fatigue is really building up.
3. パソコンを使いすぎて目の疲れがひどい。 I've been on the computer too much and my eyes are really strained.

Usage Guide

Context: health, daily life, work

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Noun form of 疲れる. The kanji 疲 combines 疒 (illness radical) and 皮 (skin), suggesting a condition where the body feels worn thin, like stretched skin.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal