What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of j'étais, which is the first-person singular imperfect form of the verb être (to be) and fatigué, which means "tired".
Which one should you use?
j'étais fatigué is used to describe a continuous state or background setting. In contrast, if you want to describe a completed period of being tired that is now over, you would use j'ai été fatigué.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, the slang term J'étais claqué(e) is used to mean "I was exhausted". The term J'étais éreinté(e) is used in France, Belgium and Switzerland to mean "I was worn out" or "exhausted".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective fatigué must agree in gender and number with the person who is tired. If the speaker is female, the adjective must take an extra e at the end, becoming j'étais fatiguée.
Did you know?
- In some regions, you might hear someone say j'étais sur les rotules, which literally translates to 'I was on my kneecaps'.
- French speakers may use crevé to mean 'exhausted', which is the same word used to describe a popped tire or a dead animal.
- While fatigué describes tiredness, the slang term claqué literally means 'slapped'. This evokes the image of being struck down by exhaustion.
Examples in context
- J'ai dit à Tom que j'étais fatigué.I told Tom that I was tired.This sentence is useful for practicing how to report a statement using j'étais fatigué.Tatoeba #6863713 by GB3, translation #5621865 by CK
- J'étais fatigué, j'allai donc au lit.I was tired so I went to bed.This sentence shows how to use j'étais fatigué to explain a subsequent action.Tatoeba #1440863 by sacredceltic, translation #1440072 by CK
- Comme j'étais fatigué, je suis allé au lit.As I was tired, I went to bed.This sentence demonstrates using j'étais fatigué to provide a reason for an action.Tatoeba #134735 by hirymnak, translation #317809 by Auride
- Hier, j'étais fatigué(e) après la longue journée de travail.Yesterday, I was tired after the long day at work.
- Après avoir fait du sport pendant deux heures, j'étais claqué(e).After exercising for two hours, I was exhausted.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are talking about yesterday's party.
- LucasPourquoi es-tu parti si tôt ?Why did you leave so early?
- ChloéDésolé, j'étais fatigué hier soir.Sorry, I was tired last night.
- LucasC'est compréhensible, la journée était longue.That's understandable, the day was long.
- ChloéOui, j'avais vraiment besoin de dormir.Yes, I really needed to sleep.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
