へとへと

へとへと
adverb, na-adjective
exhausted; worn out; dead tired
1. exhausted; worn out; dead tired
Describes being completely exhausted, having no energy left.
もうへとへとだ。
I'm totally exhausted.
へとへとで(うご)けない。
I'm so tired I can't move.
一日(いちにち)(じゅう)(はたら)いてへとへとになった。
I worked all day and got exhausted.

へとへと is a mimetic word (オノマトペ) describing extreme physical exhaustion — being completely drained of energy.

GRAMMAR:

Functions as both a na-adjective and adverb.

  • Predicate: へとへとだ/です (I'm exhausted)
  • Adverbial: へとへとに(つか)れる (to get dead tired)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • へとへとになる: to become exhausted
  • へとへとに(つか)れる: to get dead tired
  • へとへとで〜できない: too tired to do ~
  • もうへとへとだ: I'm completely wiped out

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • くたくた: worn out (similar level, slightly less dramatic)
  • ぐったり: limp, collapsed (emphasizes physical collapse)
  • ばてる: to be worn out (verb form)
  • (つか)れた: tired (general — へとへと is much stronger)

REGISTER:
Casual and conversational. Not used in formal writing.