müde
/ˈmyːdə/
The German word for "tired" is müde.
The adjective müde is used to describe someone or something that is in need of rest or sleep.
Meaning: in need of rest or sleep (adj)
Which one should you use?
While müde means tired, erschöpft is a stronger term used to describe being physically or mentally exhausted.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective müde is indeclinable when used as a predicative adjective (for example, after the verb sein), meaning it does not change its ending regardless of the gender or number of the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmyːdə/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid confusing the adjective müde (tired) with the noun Müdigkeit (tiredness/fatigue). Ensure you use the adjective after bin (I am) rather than the noun.
Did you know?
- If someone is extremely tired from a long task, they might say they are kaputt, a word that also means 'broken' or 'destroyed'.
- To express that you are 'tired of' something or 'fed up', German uses the construction etwas satt haben, which literally translates to 'having had enough of something' (like being full from food).
- The word müde is a distant relative of the English word 'mood'. They both share a common ancestor related to the concept of spirit or mind.
Examples in context
- Ich bin zu müde.I'm too tired.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are too tired.Tatoeba #3857584 by Zaghawa, translation #2248281 by CK
- Bist du zu müde?Are you too tired?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is too tired.Tatoeba #10906589 by Yorwba, translation #3930018 by Delian
- Tom sah müde aus.Tom looked tired.This sentence is useful for describing how someone looked while being tired.Tatoeba #6619016 by Felixjp, translation #1877508 by CK
- Ich bin erschöpft.I am tired.
- 1064 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are talking in the living room late at night.
- JuliaIch bin schon sehr müde.I am already very tired.
- MaximilianIch bin auch müde, Julia.I am tired too, Julia.
- JuliaGehen wir jetzt schlafen?Shall we go to sleep now?
- MaximilianJa, gute Nacht!Yes, good night!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tired” translations and entries müde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries müde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
