1.
to run out, to be exhausted, to be used up
For a supply, resource, or abstract quality to be completely depleted or exhausted. Describes reaching the end of something finite.
体力が尽きた。
My stamina ran out.
食料が尽きて困っている。
We're in trouble because the food supply has run out.
話題が尽きることなく、朝まで語り合った。
Without running out of topics, we talked until morning.
GRAMMAR:
Often used in the pattern Xが尽きる (X runs out). The negative form 尽きない and the pattern 尽きることなく (without running out) are common.
COLLOCATIONS:
- 体力が尽きる — stamina runs out
- 食料が尽きる — food supply runs out
- 忍耐が尽きる — patience runs out
- 話題が尽きない — topics never run out
- 言葉に尽きない — beyond words, inexpressible
SIMILAR WORDS:
なくなる is the everyday word for running out or disappearing. 尽きる is more literary and emphasizes complete exhaustion. 切れる can also mean to run out (e.g., バッテリーが切れる) but focuses on breaking or disconnecting.