Inklingo

How to Say "worn out" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “worn out” is “agotado” — use this common term when you feel completely drained of energy, often after a demanding day or activity.

agotado🔊A2

Use this common term when you feel completely drained of energy, often after a demanding day or activity.

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cansados🔊A1

This is a basic and very common word for feeling tired, suitable for everyday situations where a high level of exhaustion is present.

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exhausto🔊B1

Choose this word when you want to emphasize feeling completely drained, often implying a more intense level of fatigue than 'agotado'.

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acabado🔊B2

Use this when someone is completely finished or done for, either physically or emotionally, implying a state of being depleted.

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terminado🔊B2

This term implies that you are completely finished or done, often used to express extreme tiredness after a long effort.

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rendido🔊B1

Use this when you feel utterly tired and have given up due to exhaustion, often after a significant physical exertion.

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llevado🔊B1

This word describes a state of being severely fatigued, often used informally to express being very worn out after a demanding period.

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matado🔊B1

This is a very informal and emphatic way to say you are extremely tired, implying you feel like you've been 'killed' by exhaustion.

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derrotado🔊B1

Use this when feeling exhausted to the point of being defeated, often due to overwhelming personal or mental challenges.

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tirado🔊B2

This informal term suggests feeling completely depleted and unable to function, as if you've been thrown aside due to exhaustion.

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rotos🔊A1

While primarily meaning 'broken', this word can be used informally to describe people who are completely exhausted or 'broken' from tiredness.

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English → Spanish

agotado

ah-goh-TAH-doha.ɣoˈta.ðo

AdjectiveA2General
Use this common term when you feel completely drained of energy, often after a demanding day or activity.
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-doskanˈsaðos

adjectiveA1General
This is a basic and very common word for feeling tired, suitable for everyday situations where a high level of exhaustion is present.
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.

exhausto

ex-OWS-toheɡˈsawsto

adjectiveB1General
Choose this word when you want to emphasize feeling completely drained, often implying a more intense level of fatigue than 'agotado'.
A hiker sitting on a large rock with their head resting on their hands and a backpack on the ground.

Examples

Después de trabajar doce horas, me siento exhausto.

After working twelve hours, I feel exhausted.

Los corredores llegaron exhaustos a la meta.

The runners reached the finish line worn out.

Las reservas de petróleo están casi exhaustas.

The oil reserves are almost depleted.

Use with 'estar'

Always use this word with 'estar' because it describes a temporary feeling or state, not a permanent personality trait.

Matching gender

This word changes its ending. Use 'exhausto' for a man, 'exhausta' for a woman, and 'exhaustos' or 'exhaustas' for groups.

Exhausto vs. Cansado

Mistake: “Using 'cansado' when you are actually at 0% energy.”

Correction: Use 'exhausto' when you have no energy left at all. 'Cansado' is just regular 'tired'.

Wrong 'To Be'

Mistake: “Soy exhausto.”

Correction: Estoy exhausto. Using 'soy' would imply being exhausted is your permanent identity, which doesn't make sense!

acabado

ah-kah-BAH-doha.kaˈβa.ðo

adjectiveB2General
Use this when someone is completely finished or done for, either physically or emotionally, implying a state of being depleted.
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-dohteɾ.miˈna.ðo

AdjectiveB2General
This term implies that you are completely finished or done, often used to express extreme tiredness after a long effort.
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).

rendido

ren-DEE-dohrenˈdi.ðo

adjectiveB1General
Use this when you feel utterly tired and have given up due to exhaustion, often after a significant physical exertion.
A hiker sitting on a large rock with their head resting in their hands, looking very tired.

Examples

Después de correr diez kilómetros, estoy rendido.

After running ten kilometers, I am exhausted.

Llegó a casa rendido de tanto trabajar.

He arrived home worn out from working so much.

Los niños cayeron rendidos después de la fiesta.

The children collapsed from exhaustion after the party.

Using with 'to be'

Always use 'estar' (temporary state) rather than 'ser' (permanent characteristic) because exhaustion is something you feel right now, not who you are forever.

Matching the Ending

Since this acts like an adjective, remember to change the last letter: 'rendido' for a man, 'rendida' for a woman, and 'rendidos/as' for groups.

The 'Ser' Trap

Mistake: “Soy rendido.”

Correction: Estoy rendido. You are describing a current feeling, so 'estar' is the correct version of 'to be'.

llevado

yeh-VAH-dohʎeˈβa.ðo

AdjectiveB1Informal
This word describes a state of being severely fatigued, often used informally to express being very worn out after a demanding period.
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-dohmaˈtaðo

AdjectiveB1Very Informal
This is a very informal and emphatic way to say you are extremely tired, implying you feel like you've been 'killed' by exhaustion.
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.

derrotado

deh-rroh-TAH-dohde.roˈta.ðo

AdjectiveB1General
Use this when feeling exhausted to the point of being defeated, often due to overwhelming personal or mental challenges.
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.

tirado

tee-RAH-dohtiˈɾa.ðo

adjectiveB2Informal
This informal term suggests feeling completely depleted and unable to function, as if you've been thrown aside due to exhaustion.
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-tohsˈrotos

adjectiveA1Informal
While primarily meaning 'broken', this word can be used informally to describe people who are completely exhausted or 'broken' from tiredness.
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 'cansado'

Learners often confuse 'agotado' and 'cansado'. While both mean tired, 'cansado' is a general term for being tired (A1), whereas 'agotado' implies a deeper level of exhaustion or being drained (A2) and is generally more common for expressing 'worn out'.

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