피곤해요
pigonhaeyo
The English phrase "I am tired" is expressed in Korean as 피곤해요 (pigonhaeyo).
This phrase is used to express a lack of energy or a need for rest.
Which one should you use?
While 피곤해요 expresses general fatigue or a lack of energy, 졸려요 specifically means you are feeling sleepy and want to sleep.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form 피곤해요 can be changed to the informal form 피곤해 when speaking to close friends or people younger than you, or to the formal form 피곤합니다 when speaking in very professional or official settings.
How do you pronounce it?
pigonhaeyo
Did you know?
- If your exhaustion is specifically due to mental or emotional stress, you might use the term 기가 빨렸다. This literally translates to 'my energy (qi) has been sucked out'.
- There is a subtle distinction between feeling 'tired' and 'exhausted' in Korean, where the latter can be described as 녹초가 되다, which evokes the image of turning into a limp, soft piece of dough.
- When expressing fatigue to someone of higher status, it is common to omit the subject 'I' entirely. Simply saying 피곤해요 is more natural than adding a pronoun, as focusing on yourself can sometimes feel overly self-centered in Korean etiquette.
Examples in context
- 나 오늘 정말 지친 거 같아I feel really tired today.
- 어제 너무 많이 걸어서 피곤해요.eoje neomu mani georeoseo pigonhaeyo.I am tired because I walked too much yesterday.
- 지금 좀 피곤해요.jigeum jom pigonhaeyo.I am a little tired right now.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are talking after a long day of studying.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 지금 피곤해요?Jihun ssi, jigeum pigonhaeyo?Jihun, are you tired now?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 정말 피곤해요.ne, jeongmal pigonhaeyo.Yes, I am really tired.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 이제 좀 쉴까요?geureom ije jom swilkkayo?Then shall we take a break now?
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요. 같이 쉬어요.joayo. gachi swieoyo.Sounds good. Let's rest together.
