くたくた

くたくた
adverb
exhausted; worn out; limp
1. exhausted; worn out
Describes being extremely tired or fatigued, completely drained of energy.
仕事(しごと)でくたくたに(つか)れた。
I'm completely exhausted from work.
マラソンの(あと)(からだ)がくたくただ。
My body is worn out after the marathon.
一日中(いちにちじゅう)(ある)いて、くたくたになって(いえ)(かえ)った。
I walked all day and came home completely exhausted.
2. limp; soft and wilted
Describes something that has become soft and limp, like overcooked vegetables.
野菜(やさい)をくたくたに()る。
To cook vegetables until soft and limp.
大根(だいこん)をくたくたになるまで煮込(にこ)んだ。
I simmered the daikon until it was completely soft.
ほうれん(そう)をくたくたに()でてしまったので、食感(しょっかん)がなくなった。
I boiled the spinach until it went limp, so it lost its texture.

くたくた is an onomatopoeic word (擬態{語()|ぎたいご}) expressing exhaustion or limpness.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • くたくたに(つか)れる: to be exhausted
  • くたくたになる: to become worn out
  • くたくたに()る: to simmer until soft

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • へとへと: exhausted (emphasizes physical fatigue)
  • ぐったり: limp, weak (more complete exhaustion)