Onomatopoeia for Expressing Fatigue
Table of Contents
1. Onomatopoeia for Expressing Fatigue
2. What is Onomatopoeia?
3. Onomatopoeia for Full-Body Exhaustion
4. Onomatopoeia for Mental Fatigue or Weariness
5. Non-Onomatopoeic Expressions for Fatigue
6. Summary
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment
Q: Are “へとへと” and “ふらふら” different? Onomatopoeia is difficult.
A:In Japanese, emotions and physical states are often expressed using onomatopoeia (gitaigo and giongo).
When it comes to fatigue, different onomatopoeic words describe different types of tiredness.
“へとへと” and “ふらふら” have different meanings. Let’s take a closer look.
What is Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia (擬音語 / 擬態語) is a distinctive feature of the Japanese language. These expressions convey sounds, conditions, and emotions in a way that appeals to the senses—both visually and audibly.
In particular, Japanese has a rich variety of onomatopoeic words related to fatigue, such as へとへと, ぐったり, and どっと. These words help describe subtle differences in the type, intensity, and feeling of tiredness.
Instead of simply saying “I’m tired,” Japanese speakers often say things like “もうへとへと” (I’m completely wiped out) or “どっと疲れが出た” (I suddenly felt exhausted), which more vividly express both physical and mental fatigue.
This article introduces common onomatopoeic expressions for tiredness used in daily conversation, along with their meanings and usage in an easy-to-understand way.
Onomatopoeia for Full-Body Exhaustion
[へとへと]
A state of extreme fatigue where the body has no strength left at all.
Both physical and mental energy have reached their limit.
[Examples]
長い会議のあと残業もして、もう意識が飛びそうなくらいへとへとです。
After a long meeting and then working overtime, I was so exhausted I felt like I was going to pass out.
家族の引っ越しの手伝いをしたら、へとへとになりました。
I helped my family move, and I ended up completely worn out.
疲れを知らない子供たちと一日中遊んで、へとへとになったけど楽しかったよ。
I played with tireless kids all day long — I was totally exhausted, but it was fun.
[くたくた]
A state of physical fatigue where the body has no strength and feels limp.
Commonly used to describe everyday tiredness.
[Examples]
久しぶりに山登りをして、くたくたになりました。
I went mountain climbing for the first time in a while, and I ended up completely worn out.
くたくたで、夕飯を作る気力もありません。
I’m so exhausted I don’t even have the energy to make dinner.
子供たちは楽しそうに遊園地で遊んでいたけど、帰る頃にはくたくたになっていました。
The kids had a great time playing at the amusement park, but by the time we left, they were totally wiped out.
[ぐったり]
A state in which strength has drained away due to fatigue or poor physical condition, leaving the body unable to move.
[Examples]
あまりの暑さで娘が熱中症になって、ぐったりしています。
My daughter got heatstroke from the extreme heat and is lying limp and exhausted.
子供は風邪でぐったりしていて、起きることもできないようです。
My child has the flu and looks so drained that they can’t even get up.
最近は残業ばかりで仕事のあとはぐったりして何もできません。
Lately, I’ve been working overtime constantly, and after work I’m so worn out I can’t do anything.
Onomatopoeia for Mental Fatigue or Weariness
[どっと]
Describes the sudden release of built-up fatigue or weariness from within, all at once.
Often used right after tension or intense concentration has ended.
[Examples]
緊張していたプレゼンが終わった瞬間、どっと疲れが出てきました。
The moment my tense presentation ended, a wave of exhaustion suddenly hit me.
旅行は楽しかったけど、家に帰ったとたんどっと疲れました。
The trip was fun, but as soon as I got home, I was overwhelmed with fatigue.
今日は一日立ちっぱなしだったから、座った瞬間にどっと疲れが押し寄せてきました。
I was on my feet all day today, so the moment I sat down, a rush of tiredness came over me.
[どんより]
A feeling of mental heaviness or gloom that doesn’t lift.
Used when someone is mentally drained or feeling emotionally low.
[Examples]
疲れがたまっているせいか、心までどんよりとしています。
Maybe because the fatigue has been building up, even my mind feels heavy and dull.
なかなか疲れが抜けなくて、気分がどんよりしています。
I just can’t shake off the tiredness, and I’ve been feeling gloomy.
昨日は上司にたくさん注意されて、どんよりとした気持ちになりました。
Yesterday, my boss scolded me a lot, and I’ve been feeling down ever since.
Non-Onomatopoeic Expressions for Fatigue
While slightly different from onomatopoeia, there are also commonly used idiomatic and metaphorical expressions to convey fatigue.
Here, we introduce two representative examples.
[精も根も尽きる]
(Idiomatic and somewhat formal expression)
A state in which both physical and mental energy have been completely used up, leaving no willpower or strength remaining.
[Examples]
試験で全力を出し切って、精も根も尽きてしまいました。
I gave it my all on the exam, and now I’m completely drained—both mentally and physically.
計画通りに進まないプロジェクトに疲れて、精も根も尽きてしまいそうです。
I’m so exhausted from this project that just won’t go as planned, I feel like I’m about to burn out.
連日のトラブル対応に、もう精も根も尽きてしまったよ。
After dealing with constant troubles day after day, I’ve completely run out of energy.
[電池が切れる]
(Metaphorical and casual expression)
Describes a sudden loss of energy, like a device running out of batteries, resulting in being unable to move.
[Examples]
午前中に集中しすぎて、午後は完全に電池が切れてしまいました。
I focused so hard in the morning that by the afternoon, I was completely out of energy—like my battery had died.
子どもたちは遊び疲れて、夜にはまるで電池が切れたように寝てしまいました。
The kids were so tired from playing that they fell asleep at night as if their batteries had just shut off.
発表会のあと、緊張がとけて電池が切れたみたいにぐったりしてしまいました。
After the presentation, the tension was gone and I collapsed, totally drained—like a dead battery.
Summary
| Type | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Exhaustion | へとへと | Extremely tired; the body feels powerless. Both physical and mental energy are at their limit. |
| くたくた | Physically tired; no strength left. | |
| ぐったり | So exhausted or weakened that all strength has drained from the body. | |
| Mental Fatigue or Sluggishness | どっと | A sudden wave of tiredness or fatigue coming from within. |
| どんより | A heavy, gloomy mental state; emotionally weighed down and dull. | |
| Figurative Expressions of Fatigue | 精も根も尽きる | (Idiomatic, formal) To be completely drained of all energy and spirit. |
| 電池が切れる | (Figurative, casual) Like a device running out of battery; used to describe a state of total |
Similer Articles
- Must-Know for Foreigners Working in Japan: Do You Really Need a Hanko (Personal Seal)?
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English②
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English①
- Learning the Forms of Japanese from Classical Literature
- Idioms Using “頭” ② – Useful in Everyday Conversations
