疲れる vs くたびれる
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 疲れる
Listen to くたびれる
| 疲れる | くたびれる |
|---|---|
tsu-ka-RE-ru verb (ru-verb/intransitive) | kutabireru verb (ru-verb/intransitive) |
| to become tired; to get fatigued (physically or mentally) | to become worn out; to get exhausted (often through prolonged use or long activity) |
How they differ
くたびれる often implies being worn-out in a more visible or lasting way than 疲れる; it can apply to objects (e.g., clothes, shoes) as well as people and suggests long-term or cumulative weariness rather than a momentary tiredness.
When to use each
When to use 疲れる: Use 疲れる for general, immediate tiredness after an activity or event.
When to use くたびれる: Prefer くたびれる when you want to stress being thoroughly worn out or when describing something that has become shabby or exhausted after prolonged use.
Side-by-side examples
- 長時間歩いて疲れた。
(I got tired after walking for a long time.) - 長時間歩いてくたびれた。
(I became completely worn out after walking for a long time.)
Register & nuance: Casual/neutral; くたびれる is common in spoken Japanese and can also be used for objects (e.g., くたびれた服).