je suis épuisé
In French, je suis épuisé is used to say "I am exhausted".
This phrase is used to express that you are extremely tired. It is a much stronger expression than the common je suis fatigué, which simply means "I am tired".
Which one should you use?
While je suis fatigué translates to "I am tired", je suis épuisé is a much stronger expression meaning "I am exhausted" or "spent".
How does it change in a sentence?
If the speaker is female, the adjective must take an extra e at the end, written as je suis épuisée.
Did you know?
- In a library or bookstore, you will see épuisé used to describe a book that is 'out of print'. It describes a stock that has been completely exhausted and is no longer available for purchase.
- While je suis épuisé is formal, French speakers often use the slang expression je suis vanné to express the same feeling. This comes from the word for a 'winnowing fan' used to toss grain in the air.
- The word suis in this phrase is a linguistic oddity because it was influenced by the Latin word for 'I was' (fuī). It essentially merged the present and past forms of the verb to be over centuries.
Examples in context
- Je suis épuisé par le labeur.I am exhausted with toil.This sentence shows how to express being exhausted by toil using je suis épuisé.Tatoeba #8639010 by lbdx, translation #321812 by U2FS
- Je suis épuisée.I am exhausted.Tatoeba #333918 by TRANG, translation #275276 by bourdu
- *Yawns* Je suis épuisé(e). J'ai besoin d'une bonne nuit de sommeil.*Yawns* I am exhausted. I need a good night's sleep.
- Je suis complètement exténué(e). Je n'ai jamais été aussi fatigué(e) de ma vie.I am completely drained. I have never been this tired in my life.
- Je suis si fatigué(e) que je pourrais dormir debout.I am so tired I could sleep standing up.
- Je suis épuisé après cette séance de sport.I am exhausted after this workout session.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are talking at home in the evening.
- LucasJe suis épuisé, je vais me coucher.I am exhausted, I am going to bed.
- EmmaTu as eu une longue journée, Lucas ?Did you have a long day, Lucas?
- LucasOui, le travail était très intense aujourd'hui.Yes, work was very intense today.
- EmmaRepose-toi bien alors.Rest well then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, suis, épuisé, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
