疲れる

• Reading: つかれる
• Romaji: tsukareru
• Kanji breakdown: 疲 (tsuka) — fatigue, tire; れる (reru) — ichidan verb ending
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ka.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To get tired; to become fatigued; to grow weary. Describes the state of physical or mental exhaustion.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb conjugated by dropping る. The past form 疲れた is extremely common as a standalone expression meaning 'I'm tired.' Also used in the te-form 疲れている to describe an ongoing state of tiredness. The noun form is 疲れ (fatigue).

Examples

1. 今日は一日中歩いて疲れました。 I walked around all day today and I'm exhausted.
2. 目が疲れたので少し休みましょう。 My eyes are tired, so let's take a little break.
3. 最近仕事で疲れているみたいですね。 It seems like you've been worn out from work lately.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, workplace, health

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 疲 combines 疒 (illness radical) and 皮 (skin), suggesting exhaustion that shows on the surface of the body, like a visible sign of weariness.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal