Inklingo

How to Say "exhausting" in Spanish

English → Spanish

agotador

ah-go-tah-DORa.ɣo.ta.ˈðoɾ

adjectiveB1general
Use 'agotador' to describe an activity or situation that physically or mentally drains your energy, like a long journey or intense work.
A hiker slumped over a large rock on a trail, looking very tired.

Examples

El viaje en tren de 12 horas fue muy agotador.

The 12-hour train journey was very exhausting.

Correr un maratón es agotador.

Running a marathon is exhausting.

Tuve un día agotador en la oficina.

I had a tiring day at the office.

El ritmo de vida en la ciudad puede ser agotador.

The pace of life in the city can be grueling.

Describing things, not people

This word describes activities or situations that CAUSE tiredness. To say a person IS tired, use 'agotado' instead.

Using with 'Ser'

Use the word with 'ser' (to be) because being exhausting is usually a lasting quality of the activity you are talking about.

Confusing 'Agotador' with 'Agotado'

Mistake: “Estoy muy agotador.”

Correction: Estoy muy agotado. Use 'agotador' for the job and 'agotado' for how you feel.

matando

mah-TAHN-dohmaˈtando

gerundB2informal
Use 'matando' figuratively to express that a situation is extremely bothersome or stressful, often implying a feeling of being overwhelmed, rather than pure physical exhaustion.
A cartoon figure sitting under a massive, brightly glowing orange sun, sweating profusely, with exaggerated wavy lines indicating intense heat and distress, showing they are overwhelmed.

Examples

Este tráfico me está matando, ¡llegaré tarde!

This traffic is killing me, I'll be late!

Este calor me está matando, necesito un aire acondicionado.

This heat is killing me; I need air conditioning.

El nuevo proyecto nos está matando de trabajo.

The new project is overwhelming us with work.

Expressing Intensity

Using 'matando' is a dramatic, common way to say something is extremely difficult or painful, like saying 'I'm dying of laughter' in English.

agotador vs. matando

Learners often confuse 'agotador' and 'matando' by using 'matando' for simple tiredness. Remember, 'matando' is a strong, informal exaggeration for stress or extreme annoyance, while 'agotador' is a direct description of something that drains energy.

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