Inklingo

How to Say "worn out" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “worn out” is “agotado” — use this for a general feeling of being drained or depleted, common after a long day of work or exertion..

agotado🔊A2

Use this for a general feeling of being drained or depleted, common after a long day of work or exertion.

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cansados🔊A1

This is a very common and basic term for 'tired' or 'exhausted', suitable for most everyday situations when someone has worked a lot.

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acabado🔊B2

This implies a more profound state of exhaustion, suggesting someone is completely finished or 'done for,' either physically or emotionally.

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terminado🔊B2

Similar to 'acabado,' this word indicates a state of being completely finished or exhausted, often after a very long or demanding period.

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derrotado🔊B1

Use this when the exhaustion is so severe it feels like a defeat, implying a sense of being overwhelmed or crushed by circumstances.

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llevado🔊B1

This term suggests being worn down or fatigued due to prolonged effort or a demanding situation, like an extra work shift.

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matado🔊B1

This is a colloquial and strong way to express being extremely tired, often used after a very long or intense period of activity.

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tirado🔊B2

This word implies a state of being completely depleted and unable to function, often after an extremely long or draining experience.

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rotos🔊A1

While 'rotos' literally means 'broken,' it can be used informally to describe people who are completely exhausted or 'broken down' from fatigue.

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English → Spanish

agotado

ah-goh-TAH-doh/a.ɣoˈta.ðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use this for a general feeling of being drained or depleted, common after a long day of work or exertion.
A cartoon bear cub, clearly tired, slumped over and asleep right after crossing a finish line.

Examples

Llegué a casa después del trabajo y estaba completamente agotado.

I arrived home after work and I was completely exhausted.

Mi madre se siente agotada de tanto cuidar a los niños.

My mother feels worn out from taking care of the children so much.

Adjective Agreement

'Agotado' is an adjective, so it must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'agotado' (masc. singular), 'agotada' (fem. singular), 'agotados' (masc. plural), 'agotadas' (fem. plural).

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy agotado.”

Correction: Use 'Estoy agotado.' because exhaustion is a temporary state or condition, which requires the verb 'estar'.

cansados

/kan-SA-dos//kanˈsaðos/

adjectiveA1General
This is a very common and basic term for 'tired' or 'exhausted', suitable for most everyday situations when someone has worked a lot.
A small child sleeping soundly on a soft green beanbag chair.

Examples

Mis padres están cansados después de trabajar todo el día.

My parents are tired after working all day.

Los niños llegaron cansados de la excursión.

The children arrived tired from the field trip.

Estamos muy cansados por el viaje.

We are very tired because of the trip.

The '-os' Ending

The 'os' at the end tells you that we are talking about more than one person, and either they are all male or the group is a mix of males and females.

Using 'Estar'

Since being tired is usually a temporary feeling, always use the verb 'estar' (to be) instead of 'ser'.

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Somos cansados.”

Correction: Estamos cansados. Use 'estar' because tiredness is a state that changes, not a permanent personality trait.

acabado

ah-kah-BAH-doh/a.kaˈβa.ðo/

adjectiveB2General
This implies a more profound state of exhaustion, suggesting someone is completely finished or 'done for,' either physically or emotionally.
A small, extremely exhausted cartoon bear lying completely flat, face down on the ground, with tiny sweat marks around it.

Examples

Después de la excursión, el corredor estaba completamente acabado.

After the hike, the runner was completely done for/exhausted.

El viejo motor ya estaba acabado y tuvimos que reemplazarlo.

The old engine was already worn out and we had to replace it.

Si el negocio cierra, estamos acabados.

If the business closes, we are ruined/done for.

Use with Estar

This emotional or physical state always uses the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) because it describes a current condition, not a permanent characteristic.

terminado

/ter-mee-NAH-doh//teɾ.miˈna.ðo/

AdjectiveB2General
Similar to 'acabado,' this word indicates a state of being completely finished or exhausted, often after a very long or demanding period.
A cartoonish figure lying flat on their back on the ground, completely motionless and wiped out after a long effort.

Examples

Después de trabajar 12 horas, estoy terminado.

After working 12 hours, I'm exhausted.

Este coche está terminado, no creo que arranque.

This car is finished, I don't think it will start.

Las chicas llegaron terminadas del viaje.

The girls arrived worn out from the trip.

Describing a State of Being

Just like when it means 'finished', this meaning uses the verb 'estar' because being exhausted is a temporary state. 'Estoy terminado' (I'm exhausted).

derrotado

/deh-rroh-TAH-doh//de.roˈta.ðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use this when the exhaustion is so severe it feels like a defeat, implying a sense of being overwhelmed or crushed by circumstances.
A small person sitting on a bench under a single rain cloud, looking very sad.

Examples

Se sentía derrotado por tantos problemas personales.

He felt crushed by so many personal problems.

Llegó a casa derrotado después de doce horas de trabajo.

He arrived home worn out after twelve hours of work.

Using it with 'Estar'

When talking about a temporary feeling or mood, use this word with the verb 'estar' (to be) or 'sentirse' (to feel).

Not just for wars

Mistake: “Using 'cansado' for everything.”

Correction: Use 'derrotado' when you want to sound more dramatic or describe a deeper level of being worn out.

llevado

/yeh-VAH-doh//ʎeˈβa.ðo/

AdjectiveB1General
This term suggests being worn down or fatigued due to prolonged effort or a demanding situation, like an extra work shift.
A cartoon rabbit lying flat on the ground, sweat dripping from its brow, looking completely worn out.

Examples

Los trabajadores estaban muy llevados después de la jornada extra.

The workers were very worn out/exhausted after the extra shift.

Me siento tan llevado por el estrés de los exámenes.

I feel so worn out by the stress of the exams.

Using 'Estar' for States

This meaning always uses the verb estar because it describes a temporary physical or emotional state: 'Estoy llevado' (I am exhausted).

matado

mah-TAH-doh/maˈtaðo/

AdjectiveB1Informal
This is a colloquial and strong way to express being extremely tired, often used after a very long or intense period of activity.
A storybook illustration of a student completely exhausted, slumped over a wooden desk with their eyes closed.

Examples

Llegué a casa matado después del turno de diez horas.

I got home exhausted after the ten-hour shift.

Mi hermana está matada con los exámenes finales; no ha dormido bien.

My sister is worn out from final exams; she hasn't slept well.

Masculine vs. Feminine

Since this is an adjective, make sure it matches the person you are describing: 'Estoy matado' (if male) or 'Estoy matada' (if female).

Using 'ser' instead of 'estar'

Mistake: “Soy matado.”

Correction: Estoy matado. Use 'estar' because exhaustion is a temporary state, not a permanent characteristic.

tirado

tee-RAH-doh/tiˈɾa.ðo/

adjectiveB2General
This word implies a state of being completely depleted and unable to function, often after an extremely long or draining experience.
A cartoon runner slumped over, sweating heavily, looking completely exhausted after finishing an activity.

Examples

Después de trabajar doce horas, llegué a casa tirado.

After working twelve hours, I arrived home exhausted.

Ella estaba tirada de la tristeza por las malas noticias.

She was worn out with sadness because of the bad news.

Figurative Use

This meaning is figurative, meaning you are 'thrown down' by exhaustion. It emphasizes a complete lack of energy.

rotos

/RO-tohs//ˈrotos/

adjectiveA1Informal
While 'rotos' literally means 'broken,' it can be used informally to describe people who are completely exhausted or 'broken down' from fatigue.
A ceramic plate broken into several large pieces on a wooden floor.

Examples

Los platos cayeron al suelo y ahora están rotos.

The plates fell to the floor and now they are broken.

Me gusta usar pantalones rotos.

I like wearing torn jeans.

Después de la maratón, mis pies terminaron rotos.

After the marathon, my feet ended up worn out.

The Irregular Rule

This word is a special form of the verb 'romper' (to break). Even though most words like this end in '-ido', this one is irregular. You must use 'rotos' instead of 'rompidos'.

Matching Groups

Since this ends in '-os', use it when describing multiple masculine items (like 'los juguetes') or a mixed group of items.

The 'Rompidos' Error

Mistake: “Los vasos están rompidos.”

Correction: Los vasos están rotos. Spanish uses an irregular form for the word 'broken'.

Choosing between 'agotado' and 'acabado'

Learners often confuse 'agotado' and 'acabado'. 'Agotado' is a more general term for exhaustion, suitable for everyday tiredness. 'Acabado' implies a more severe, near-complete depletion, suggesting you are 'done for'.

Related Translations

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