I am tired
in SpanishEstoy cansado/a
/ehs-TOY kahn-SAH-doh / kahn-SAH-dah/
This is the most direct and common way to say 'I am tired' in Spanish. Use 'cansado' if you identify as male and 'cansada' if you identify as female.
Whether you're physically tired ('estoy cansado/a') or just sleepy ('tengo sueño'), Spanish has the perfect phrase to express how you feel at the end of the day.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Tengo sueño
/TEN-goh SWEN-yoh/
This literally means 'I have sleepiness' and is used specifically when you mean 'I am sleepy' or 'drowsy'. It's about the need to sleep, not physical exhaustion from an activity.
Estoy agotado/a
/ehs-TOY ah-goh-TAH-doh / ah-goh-TAH-dah/
This is a step up from 'cansado/a' and means 'I am exhausted' or 'worn out'. It implies a much deeper level of fatigue.
Estoy hecho/a polvo
/ehs-TOY EH-choh / EH-chah POL-voh/
A very common and colorful expression in Spain, literally meaning 'I'm made of dust'. It's a highly informal way to say you're completely wiped out or shattered.
Estoy muerto/a
/ehs-TOY MWER-toh / MWER-tah/
Literally 'I'm dead', this is a common exaggeration to say you are 'dead tired'. It's used informally to emphasize extreme exhaustion.
No puedo más
/noh PWEH-doh mahs/
This means 'I can't anymore' or 'I can't go on'. It expresses that you've reached your physical or mental limit due to tiredness or stress.
Estoy reventado/a
/ehs-TOY reh-ven-TAH-doh / reh-ven-TAH-dah/
A colloquial term that means 'I'm burst' or 'I'm shattered'. It's similar to 'hecho/a polvo' and conveys a sense of being completely broken by fatigue.
Estoy fundido/a
/ehs-TOY foon-DEE-doh / foon-DEE-dah/
Meaning 'I'm melted' or 'blown', like a fuse. This is another informal way to say you're completely drained of energy.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right way to say you're tired depends on the specific feeling and context. Here’s a quick comparison of the most common options.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estoy cansado/a | Neutral | General, everyday tiredness from work, exercise, or a long day. | You specifically mean you are sleepy and need to go to bed. |
| Tengo sueño | Neutral | Expressing that you are sleepy, drowsy, and ready to go to bed. | You are physically exhausted from a workout but not necessarily sleepy. |
| Estoy agotado/a | Neutral | Describing a deeper level of exhaustion after a very stressful or demanding period. | You're just a little bit tired at the end of a normal day. |
| Estoy hecho/a polvo | Informal | Casually expressing extreme exhaustion with friends, especially in Spain. | In any formal setting, like with a boss or an older person you don't know well. |
📈Difficulty Level
The sounds are generally straightforward for English speakers. The main small challenge is the soft 'd' sound in 'cansado'.
The grammar is a classic challenge for beginners due to two main concepts: choosing 'estar' over 'ser', and remembering to match the gender with '-o' or '-a'.
The most important cultural/linguistic nuance is understanding the clear line Spanish draws between being tired ('cansado') and being sleepy ('tengo sueño').
Key Challenges:
- Distinguishing between 'ser' and 'estar'
- Remembering gender agreement (-o/-a)
- Knowing when to use 'estoy cansado' vs. 'tengo sueño'
💡Examples in Action
Después de correr 10 kilómetros, estoy muy cansado.
After running 10 kilometers, I am very tired.
No he dormido bien en tres días. Estoy agotada.
I haven't slept well in three days. I'm exhausted.
Son las once de la noche, ya tengo sueño. Me voy a la cama.
It's eleven at night, I'm sleepy already. I'm going to bed.
¿Vamos a la fiesta? — Lo siento, pero estoy hecho polvo. Prefiero quedarme en casa.
Are we going to the party? — I'm sorry, but I'm beat. I'd rather stay home.
🌍Cultural Context
Tired vs. Sleepy: A Crucial Distinction
In English, we often use 'tired' to mean 'sleepy'. In Spanish, this is a very important difference. 'Estoy cansado/a' is for physical or mental fatigue from effort. 'Tengo sueño' is specifically for the physical need to sleep. Mixing them up is a classic beginner mistake!
Expressive Exaggeration
Spanish speakers often use wonderfully dramatic and expressive phrases for being tired, like 'estoy muerto/a' (I'm dead) or 'estoy hecho/a polvo' (I'm made of dust). Don't be afraid to use these with friends; it's a normal and colorful part of the language.
The Role of the 'Siesta'
While the tradition of a long afternoon nap ('siesta') is less common in big cities today, the cultural concept still influences daily rhythms. The main meal is often in the afternoon, which can lead to a natural dip in energy, making phrases about being tired or sleepy common around that time.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "Soy cansado/a."
Correction: Estoy cansado/a.
Confusing 'Cansado' and 'Sueño'
Mistake: "Quiero dormir porque estoy muy cansado."
Correction: Quiero dormir porque tengo mucho sueño.
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: "A woman saying, 'Estoy muy cansado.'"
Correction: Estoy muy cansada.
💡Pro Tips
Match the Intensity
Think about how tired you really are. A normal day might leave you 'cansado/a'. A week of intense work or travel might make you 'agotado/a'. And a truly awful day might leave you 'hecho/a polvo'. Matching the word to the feeling makes you sound more natural.
Always Remember the 'O' or 'A'
Getting the gender ending right is a small detail that makes a big difference in sounding correct. Make it a habit: before you say you're tired, think about whether you need to end the word with an '-o' or an '-a'.
Use 'Tener' for Body Feelings
Remember that 'tengo sueño' (I'm sleepy) follows a pattern. Many physical states use the verb 'tener' (to have): 'tengo hambre' (I'm hungry), 'tengo sed' (I'm thirsty), 'tengo frío' (I'm cold). Grouping them together can help you remember.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spain is famous for its colorful, informal expressions for being tired. Using phrases like 'estoy hecho polvo' will make you sound very authentic and is extremely common in casual conversation among friends.
Mexico
Mexican Spanish has unique slang for tiredness and laziness. 'Tener hueva' is incredibly common but very colloquial; it's the feeling of not wanting to do anything, which can be caused by tiredness. 'Jetón/a' specifically refers to being sleepy, often with a connotation of having a 'sleepy face'.
Argentina
Argentinian Spanish, particularly from the Rioplatense region, has its own set of vivid, informal expressions. Like in Spain, using these colloquialisms in a casual context shows a deeper familiarity with the local way of speaking.
📱Texting & Social Media
Estoy cansado/a
WhatsApp, social media comments with close friends.
no salgo hoy, toy cansao
not going out today, i'm tired
💬What Comes Next?
You tell someone you're tired.
¿Por qué? ¿Tuviste un día largo?
Why? Did you have a long day?
Sí, muchísimo trabajo.
Yes, a ton of work.
You say you're tired and need to go.
Claro, que descanses.
Of course, rest well.
Gracias, igualmente.
Thanks, you too.
You say you're sleepy.
Deberías ir a la cama.
You should go to bed.
Sí, creo que sí. Buenas noches.
Yes, I think so. Good night.
🧠Memory Tricks
This links the sound of the word to the feeling of being too tired to do anything, helping you recall it in context.
This connects the verb 'tener' (which sounds like 'ten') with the action of going to sleep, reinforcing that 'tengo sueño' is about sleepiness, not just general fatigue.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is how Spanish separates 'being tired' from 'being sleepy'. English uses 'tired' for both, but Spanish uses 'Estoy cansado/a' for fatigue and 'Tengo sueño' for the need to sleep. Another key contrast is the use of 'estar' for a temporary state (tiredness) versus 'ser' for a permanent trait, a distinction English doesn't make with the verb 'to be'.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: If you say 'Estoy cansado' when you mean you want to go to bed, it's not wrong, but it's less precise. It describes your state of fatigue, not your desire to sleep.
Use instead: Use 'Tengo sueño' when you are yawning and ready for bed. Use 'Estoy cansado' after a long run or a hard day at work.
Why it's different: This is the trap of 'ser' vs 'estar'. 'Estoy aburrido' means 'I am bored' (a temporary feeling). 'Soy aburrido' means 'I am a boring person' (a personality trait). This is a similar concept to the 'Soy cansado' vs 'Estoy cansado' mistake.
Use instead: Use 'estoy' for feelings and temporary states. Use 'ser' for permanent characteristics or identity.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How are you?
This is the question that most commonly leads to the answer 'I am tired'.
I need to rest
It's the natural next step after saying you're tired.
I am sick
This phrase also uses 'Estoy' to describe a temporary state, helping you practice the verb 'estar'.
Good night
This is what you say when you're tired or sleepy and are heading to bed.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I am tired
Question 1 of 4
You just finished a 5-hour exam and your brain feels fried. Which phrase best describes how you feel?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the absolute most important difference between 'estoy cansado' and 'tengo sueño'?
Think of it this way: a marathon runner is 'cansado' at the finish line, but maybe not sleepy. A baby is 'tiene sueño' at bedtime, but not tired from work. 'Cansado' is about energy spent; 'sueño' is about the need for sleep.
Why can't I say 'Soy cansado'?
In Spanish, the verb 'ser' (soy, eres, es...) describes permanent qualities or identity. 'Estar' (estoy, estás, está...) describes temporary states or conditions. Since being tired is a temporary state, you must use 'estoy'. Saying 'soy cansado' makes it sound like being a tiring person is part of your personality.
How do I say I'm REALLY tired? What are the levels?
You can add adverbs like 'muy' (very) or 'súper'. For levels of intensity, think of it like this: 'Estoy un poco cansado' (a little tired) -> 'Estoy cansado' (tired) -> 'Estoy muy cansado' (very tired) -> 'Estoy agotado' (exhausted) -> 'Estoy muerto/hecho polvo' (dead tired/shattered).
Do I always have to change the ending to -o or -a?
Yes, for adjectives like 'cansado', 'agotado', 'hecho', 'muerto', etc. They must match your gender. If you identify as male, use '-o'. If you identify as female, use '-a'. This is a fundamental rule in Spanish grammar.
Is it rude to say 'estoy cansado' if someone invites me out?
Not at all! It's a perfectly normal and polite reason to decline an invitation. To be extra polite, you can say something like, 'Me encantaría, pero estoy muy cansado/a.' (I'd love to, but I'm very tired.)
Can I use 'cansado' to describe being tired of a situation?
Yes, absolutely. You can say 'Estoy cansado de esta situación' (I'm tired of this situation) or 'Estoy cansada de esperar' (I'm tired of waiting). In this context, it means 'fed up' or 'sick of it'.
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