燃え尽き症候群
moetsuki shōkōgun
The English phrase burnout is translated into Japanese as 燃え尽き症候群 (moetsuki shōkōgun).
The term refers to the experience of long-term exhaustion. While 燃え尽き症候群 is the standard term, the English loanword written in katakana as バーンアウト is also commonly used in Japanese.
Meaning: experience of long-term exhaustion (noun)
Which one should you use?
燃え尽き症候群 is typically used in medical, psychological or formal clinical contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
moetsuki shōkōgun
Did you know?
- Japanese has a unique word shachiku, which translates to 'company slave'. This slang term is frequently used by employees who feel they are on the path toward 燃え尽き症候群.
- In Japanese, the concept of 'burnout' is often discussed alongside the term 過労死 (karōshi), which refers to death from excessive work. While one is a psychological state and the other a tragic physical outcome, both are deeply linked in Japanese social discourse.
- While 燃え尽き症候群 is used by doctors, an average person might instead say they are feeling ボロボロ (boroboro). This onomatopoeia describes something being torn to shreds or in a state of collapse, often used to describe one's mental state.
Examples in context
- 彼は燃え尽き症候群になった。Kare wa moetsuki shoukougun ni natta.He suffered from burnout.
- 燃え尽き症候群は深刻な問題だ。Moetsuki shoukougun wa shinkoku na mondai da.Burnout is a serious problem.
- 燃え尽き症候群の予防が大切です。Moetsuki shoukougun no yobou ga taisetsu desu.Preventing burnout is important.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about work stress at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui最近、仕事が辛いんだ。Saikin, shigoto ga tsurai n da.Work has been hard lately.
- 大翔 Hiroto燃え尽き症候群じゃないの？Moetsuki shoukougun janai no?Could it be burnout?
- 結衣 Yuiそうかもしれない。疲れが取れないんだ。Sou kamo shirenai. Tsukare ga torenai n da.Maybe so. I just can't get rid of this exhaustion.
- 大翔 Hiroto少し休んだほうがいいよ。Sukoshi yasunda hou ga ii yo.You should rest a little.
