Korean Dictionary
How to say "Exhausted" in Korean
“Exhausted” in Korean is 지치다 (pronounced "Jichida").
지치다
Jichida
Usage & Context
Describes extreme physical or emotional depletion. Korea's demanding work culture (야근 culture) makes this a very common word. 지쳤어요 is frequently said by students after exams or workers after long projects.
Example Sentence
요즘 너무 바빠서 완전히 지쳤어요.
I've been so busy lately that I'm completely exhausted.
How to use 지치다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Exhausted” is 지치다, romanized as Jichida.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 지치다.
Pronunciation Guide
지 (ji) sounds like 'jee' in 'jeep'. 치 (chi) sounds like 'chee' in 'cheese'. 다 (da) sounds like 'da' in 'dad'. Put it together: 'jee-chee-da'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
지쳤어요
Jichyeosseoyo
This is the common polite past tense form, often used to express current exhaustion.
Casual (반말)
지쳐
Jichyeo
Used when speaking with close friends, family, or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Describing physical exhaustion after a strenuous activity.
마라톤을 완주하고 나니 몸이 완전히 지쳤어요.
After finishing the marathon, my body was completely exhausted.
Expressing mental fatigue due to a demanding work schedule.
매일 야근하느라 정신적으로도 많이 지쳤어요.
I'm mentally very exhausted from working overtime every day.
Feeling worn out by routine and desiring a change.
반복되는 일상에 지쳐서 여행을 떠나고 싶어요.
I'm tired of the repetitive daily routine and want to go on a trip.
Cultural Context
지치다 is a very common expression in Korea, reflecting the demanding work and academic culture (often referred to as '야근 culture' for overtime work). It covers both physical and mental exhaustion. You'll frequently hear '지쳤어요' (I'm exhausted) from students after exams or workers after long projects, as it's a highly relatable sentiment.
Editorial note
We review entries like 지치다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
너무 지쳤어
I'm so exhausted (casual)
몸이 지치다
To be physically exhausted
마음이 지치다
To be mentally/emotionally exhausted
Related Expressions
피곤하다
Pigonhada
To be tired (general tiredness)
힘들다
Himdeulda
To be difficult, tough, exhausting (can be similar to 지치다)
녹초가 되다
Nokchoga doeda
To be utterly exhausted, worn out (idiomatic, stronger)
활기차다
Hwalgichada
To be lively, energetic (antonym)
More Emotions Words
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