へたる

へたる
verb (godan)
to wear out, to go flat, to lose firmness
1. to wear out, to go flat, to lose firmness
For something cushioned or springy to lose its resilience or shape through use and age — pillows becoming flat, springs going soft, cushions losing their bounce.
(まくら)がへたってきた。
The pillow has gone flat.
ソファーのクッションがへたって(すわ)りにくい。
The sofa cushions have worn out and are hard to sit on.
何年(なんねん)使(つか)っていたマットレスがへたって、(こし)(いた)くなった。
The mattress I'd been using for years lost its firmness, and my back started to hurt.

TRANSITIVITY:
Intransitive (自動詞(じどうし)). The object wears out on its own.

CONJUGATION (godan, ら-row):

  • Negative: へたらない
  • Te-form: へたって
  • Past: へたった

ASPECT:
へたっている describes the resulting state of being worn out. へたってきた emphasizes the gradual process of losing firmness.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (まくら)がへたる: pillow goes flat
  • クッションがへたる: cushion wears out
  • 布団(ふとん)がへたる: futon goes flat
  • バネがへたる: spring goes soft