How to say "fatigue" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 疲れつかれnounThe everyday word for tiredness after physical or mental effort. It covers ordinary fatigue from work, exercise, or lack of sleep, and is the neutral choice in most daily conversation.
- 疲労ひろうnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbA more formal word for fatigue or exhaustion, common in written and technical contexts such as medicine, safety reports, and news. It often suggests accumulated tiredness rather than momentary tiredness.
- 疲弊ひへいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbRefers to being drained or worn down, applied chiefly to organizations, economies, or people depleted over time. It suggests prolonged depletion rather than simple physical tiredness.
- 倦怠けんたいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbWeariness or lassitude, often with a sense of listlessness or boredom. It describes a sluggish, unmotivated state rather than purely physical exhaustion, as in boredom with daily routine.
Choose 「疲れ」 for everyday physical tiredness, 疲労 for fatigue as a formal or medical condition, 疲弊 for exhaustion of organizations or economies, and 倦怠 for listless weariness or boredom.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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