How to Say “Tired” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Expressing how you feel is a crucial part of any language, and Spanish is no exception. “Tired” is a common emotion, and mastering its various translations in Spanish will significantly enhance your fluency and ability to communicate effectively. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to say “tired” in Spanish, covering different expressions, grammatical nuances, and practical examples. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to express your weariness accurately and naturally. Understanding the different ways to convey tiredness in Spanish will enable more nuanced and authentic conversations, allowing you to connect with native speakers on a deeper level.

This guide is designed to benefit students of all levels, from beginners who are just starting to learn basic vocabulary to advanced learners who want to refine their understanding of idiomatic expressions. By exploring the nuances of each expression and practicing with various examples, you’ll gain confidence in using these phrases in real-life situations. Furthermore, this guide addresses common mistakes that learners make, helping you avoid pitfalls and improve your overall accuracy. So, let’s embark on this journey to master the art of expressing tiredness in Spanish!

Table of Contents

• Definition of “Tired” in Spanish
• Structural Breakdown: Key Verbs and Adjectives
• Types and Categories of “Tired” Expressions
  • Estar cansado/a: The Basic Expression
  • Tener sueño: To Be Sleepy
  • Estar agotado/a: To Be Exhausted
  • Estar rendido/a: To Be Worn Out
  • Estar hecho/a polvo: To Be Dead Tired
  • Cansar as a Verb: To Tire Someone
• Examples of “Tired” in Spanish
  • Examples with Estar cansado/a
  • Examples with Tener sueño
  • Examples with Estar agotado/a
  • Examples with Estar rendido/a
  • Examples with Estar hecho/a polvo
  • Examples with Cansar
• Usage Rules and Grammatical Considerations
  • Gender and Number Agreement
  • Ser vs. Estar
  • Reflexive Verbs and Tiredness
• Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics: Idiomatic Expressions and Regional Variations
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of “Tired” in Spanish

The English word “tired” describes a state of fatigue, weariness, or lack of energy. In Spanish, there isn’t a single, direct translation that perfectly captures all nuances of “tired.” Instead, several expressions convey different aspects of tiredness, depending on the context and the intensity of the feeling. These expressions can be classified primarily as adjectives used with the verb estar (to be – for temporary states) or as verbs related to causing tiredness.

The function of these words and phrases is to describe the speaker’s or another person’s physical or mental state. The context often dictates which expression is most appropriate. For example, estar cansado/a is a general way to say “tired,” while estar agotado/a implies a more extreme level of exhaustion. Choosing the right expression will ensure that you accurately convey your feelings and avoid misunderstandings.

Structural Breakdown: Key Verbs and Adjectives

The most common way to express “tired” in Spanish involves using the verb estar (to be) followed by an adjective that describes the state of tiredness. The adjective must agree in gender and number with the subject of the sentence. For example, a male speaker would say “Estoy cansado,” while a female speaker would say “Estoy cansada.”

Other verbs, such as tener (to have), can also be used in specific expressions like tener sueño (to be sleepy). Additionally, the verb cansar (to tire) can be used to describe the action of making someone tired. Understanding these structural elements is essential for forming grammatically correct and natural-sounding sentences.

Types and Categories of “Tired” Expressions

There are several ways to express “tired” in Spanish, each with its own nuances. Here are some of the most common expressions, categorized by their intensity and specific meaning.

Estar cansado/a: The Basic Expression

Estar cansado/a is the most common and versatile way to say “tired” in Spanish. It’s suitable for describing a general feeling of weariness, whether physical or mental. The adjective cansado (masculine) or cansada (feminine) must agree in gender with the subject.

Tener sueño: To Be Sleepy

Tener sueño literally means “to have sleep,” but it’s used to express that someone is sleepy or feels the need to sleep. It’s different from simply being tired; it specifically relates to the desire for sleep. The verb tener is conjugated according to the subject.

Estar agotado/a: To Be Exhausted

Estar agotado/a implies a much stronger level of tiredness than estar cansado/a. It means “to be exhausted” or “to be completely worn out.” This expression is used when someone has depleted almost all of their energy.

Estar rendido/a: To Be Worn Out

Estar rendido/a is similar to estar agotado/a, but it often implies a sense of defeat or surrender due to tiredness. It means “to be worn out” or “to be spent.” This expression suggests that someone has reached their limit.

Estar hecho/a polvo: To Be Dead Tired

Estar hecho/a polvo is an idiomatic expression that means “to be dead tired” or “to be completely shattered.” It’s a very strong way to express extreme tiredness, suggesting that someone is utterly exhausted. The literal translation is “to be made dust.”

Cansar as a Verb: To Tire Someone

The verb cansar means “to tire” or “to make someone tired.” It’s used to describe the action of something or someone causing tiredness. The verb is conjugated and often used with reflexive pronouns to indicate who is being tired.

Examples of “Tired” in Spanish

To solidify your understanding, let’s look at numerous examples of how to use these expressions in context. Each expression will be presented with multiple examples to illustrate its usage.

Examples with Estar cansado/a

The following table provides examples of using estar cansado/a in various sentences. Notice the gender agreement between the subject and the adjective.

Spanish	English
Estoy cansado después del trabajo.	I am tired after work.
Estoy cansada después de la clase de yoga.	I am tired after the yoga class.
Él está cansado de estudiar.	He is tired of studying.
Ella está cansada de esperar.	She is tired of waiting.
Nosotros estamos cansados de la rutina.	We are tired of the routine.
Nosotras estamos cansadas de la lluvia.	We are tired of the rain.
Vosotros estáis cansados del viaje.	You (plural, informal) are tired of the trip.
Vosotras estáis cansadas de la caminata.	You (plural, informal, feminine) are tired of the hike.
Ellos están cansados del ruido.	They (masculine) are tired of the noise.
Ellas están cansadas del calor.	They (feminine) are tired of the heat.
¿Estás cansado hoy?	Are you tired today?
¿Estás cansada después de correr?	Are you tired after running?
El perro está cansado de jugar.	The dog is tired of playing.
La niña está cansada de leer.	The girl is tired of reading.
Estamos cansados de ver la televisión.	We are tired of watching TV.
Estoy cansado de esta situación.	I am tired of this situation.
Estoy cansada de tus excusas.	I am tired of your excuses.
Mi padre está cansado de trabajar tanto.	My father is tired of working so much.
Mi madre está cansada de cocinar todos los días.	My mother is tired of cooking every day.
Los estudiantes están cansados de los exámenes.	The students are tired of the exams.
Las profesoras están cansadas de corregir los trabajos.	The female teachers are tired of grading the papers.
¿Por qué estás tan cansado hoy?	Why are you so tired today?
¿Están cansados después del partido?	Are you tired after the game?
El gato está cansado de dormir.	The cat is tired of sleeping.
La gente está cansada de la política.	People are tired of politics.
Estamos cansados de esperar el autobús.	We are tired of waiting for the bus.

Examples with Tener sueño

The following table illustrates the use of tener sueño to express sleepiness. Note the conjugation of the verb tener according to the subject.

Spanish	English
Tengo sueño.	I am sleepy.
Tienes sueño.	You are sleepy.
Él tiene sueño.	He is sleepy.
Ella tiene sueño.	She is sleepy.
Nosotros tenemos sueño.	We are sleepy.
Vosotros tenéis sueño.	You (plural, informal) are sleepy.
Ellos tienen sueño.	They are sleepy.
¿Tienes sueño?	Are you sleepy?
El bebé tiene sueño.	The baby is sleepy.
La niña tiene sueño.	The girl is sleepy.
Tenemos mucho sueño después de la cena.	We are very sleepy after dinner.
Tengo sueño después de leer.	I am sleepy after reading.
Ella siempre tiene sueño por la mañana.	She is always sleepy in the morning.
Los niños tienen sueño después de jugar.	The children are sleepy after playing.
¿Por qué tienes tanto sueño?	Why are you so sleepy?
No tengo sueño todavía.	I am not sleepy yet.
Mi hermano tiene sueño después del trabajo.	My brother is sleepy after work.
Mi hermana tiene sueño después de la escuela.	My sister is sleepy after school.
Los perros tienen sueño después de correr en el parque.	The dogs are sleepy after running in the park.
Las flores tienen sueño sin agua.	The flowers are sleepy without water.
Siempre tenemos sueño cuando vemos esa película.	We are always sleepy when we watch that movie.
¿Cuándo tienes sueño normalmente?	When are you usually sleepy?
El gato siempre tiene sueño en la tarde.	The cat is always sleepy in the afternoon.
La profesora tiene sueño después de la clase.	The teacher is sleepy after class.
Tenemos sueño porque no dormimos bien anoche.	We are sleepy because we didn’t sleep well last night.

Examples with Estar agotado/a

The following table demonstrates the use of estar agotado/a to express extreme exhaustion. Remember to match the gender of the adjective to the subject.

Spanish	English
Estoy agotado después del maratón.	I am exhausted after the marathon.
Estoy agotada después de limpiar la casa.	I am exhausted after cleaning the house.
Él está agotado de trabajar sin parar.	He is exhausted from working non-stop.
Ella está agotada de cuidar a los niños.	She is exhausted from taking care of the children.
Nosotros estamos agotados después de la mudanza.	We are exhausted after the move.
Vosotros estáis agotados después del concierto.	You (plural, informal) are exhausted after the concert.
Ellos están agotados después del partido de fútbol.	They are exhausted after the soccer game.
¿Estás agotado después de todo ese trabajo?	Are you exhausted after all that work?
El perro está agotado después de correr todo el día.	The dog is exhausted after running all day.
La batería del coche está agotada.	The car battery is exhausted (dead).
Estamos agotados de tanto estrés.	We are exhausted from so much stress.
Estoy agotado de escuchar las mismas quejas.	I am exhausted from hearing the same complaints.
Estoy agotada de las malas noticias.	I am exhausted from the bad news.
Mi padre está agotado después de la cirugía.	My father is exhausted after the surgery.
Mi madre está agotada después de cuidar a mi abuela.	My mother is exhausted after taking care of my grandmother.
Los voluntarios están agotados después de ayudar en el desastre.	The volunteers are exhausted after helping in the disaster.
Las enfermeras están agotadas después de trabajar en el hospital.	The nurses are exhausted after working in the hospital.
¿Por qué estás tan agotado hoy?	Why are you so exhausted today?
¿Están agotados después del largo viaje?	Are you exhausted after the long trip?
El gato está agotado después de cazar ratones.	The cat is exhausted after hunting mice.
La gente está agotada de la corrupción.	People are exhausted of the corruption.
Estamos agotados de esperar los resultados.	We are exhausted of waiting for the results.
Estoy agotado de tener que explicarlo de nuevo.	I am exhausted of having to explain it again.
Estoy agotada de oírte quejarte.	I am exhausted of hearing you complain.
Los soldados están agotados después de la batalla.	The soldiers are exhausted after the battle.

Examples with Estar rendido/a

The following table provides examples of using estar rendido/a to convey being worn out or spent. This expression often implies a sense of surrender.

Spanish	English
Estoy rendido después de la pelea.	I am worn out after the fight.
Estoy rendida después de intentar todo.	I am worn out after trying everything.
Él está rendido de tanto trabajar.	He is worn out from working so much.
Ella está rendida de la situación.	She is worn out with the situation.
Nosotros estamos rendidos de la lucha.	We are worn out of the struggle.
Vosotros estáis rendidos de la competencia.	You (plural, informal) are worn out of the competition.
Ellos están rendidos después de la guerra.	They are worn out after the war.
¿Estás rendido después de tanto esfuerzo?	Are you worn out after so much effort?
El caballo está rendido después de la carrera.	The horse is worn out after the race.
La batería está rendida.	The battery is dead.
Estamos rendidos de tanto esperar.	We are worn out from waiting so much.
Estoy rendido de tener que hacerlo todo solo.	I am worn out from having to do everything alone.
Estoy rendida de tener que seguir tus reglas.	I am worn out from having to follow your rules.
Mi padre está rendido después de la enfermedad.	My father is worn out after the illness.
Mi madre está rendida después de cuidar a todos.	My mother is worn out after taking care of everyone.
Los soldados están rendidos después de la larga marcha.	The soldiers are worn out after the long march.
Las atletas están rendidas después de la competencia.	The athletes are worn out after the competition.
¿Por qué estás tan rendido ahora?	Why are you so worn out now?
¿Están rendidos después de la reunión?	Are you worn out after the meeting?
El perro está rendido después de jugar en la nieve.	The dog is worn out after playing in the snow.
La gente está rendida de las promesas vacías.	People are worn out of empty promises.
Estamos rendidos de discutir siempre.	We are worn out of always arguing.
Estoy rendido de este trabajo.	I am worn out of this job.
Estoy rendida de esta relación.	I am worn out of this relationship.
Los ancianos están rendidos después de vivir tanto tiempo.	The elderly are worn out after living so long.

Examples with Estar hecho/a polvo

The following table provides examples of using estar hecho/a polvo, a very strong expression for being dead tired or completely shattered.

Spanish	English
Estoy hecho polvo después del viaje en avión.	I am dead tired after the plane trip.
Estoy hecha polvo después de la fiesta.	I am dead tired after the party.
Él está hecho polvo después de trabajar toda la noche.	He is dead tired after working all night.
Ella está hecha polvo después de cuidar a los gemelos.	She is dead tired after taking care of the twins.
Estamos hechos polvo después de la caminata en la montaña.	We are dead tired after the hike in the mountains.
Vosotros estáis hechos polvo después de la construcción de la casa.	You (plural, informal) are dead tired after building the house.
Ellos están hechos polvo después de la guerra.	They are dead tired after the war.
¿Estás hecho polvo después de la conferencia?	Are you dead tired after the conference?
El perro está hecho polvo después de correr en la playa.	The dog is dead tired after running on the beach.
Estamos hechos polvo después de la Navidad.	We are dead tired after Christmas.
Estoy hecho polvo y necesito dormir.	I am dead tired and I need to sleep.
Estoy hecha polvo, así que me voy a la cama.	I am dead tired, so I’m going to bed.
Mi padre está hecho polvo después de pintar la casa.	My father is dead tired after painting the house.
Mi madre está hecha polvo después de organizar la boda.	My mother is dead tired after organizing the wedding.
Los estudiantes están hechos polvo después de los exámenes finales.	The students are dead tired after the final exams.
Las enfermeras están hechas polvo después de la emergencia en el hospital.	The nurses are dead tired after the emergency in the hospital.
¿Por qué estás hecho polvo?	Why are you dead tired?
¿Están hechos polvo después del trabajo?	Are you dead tired after work?
El gato está hecho polvo después de cazar ratones toda la noche.	The cat is dead tired after hunting mice all night.
La gente está hecha polvo después de la tormenta.	The people are dead tired after the storm.
Estamos hechos polvo después de la reunión.	We are dead tired after the meeting.
Estoy hecho polvo de tanto pensar.	I am dead tired from thinking so much.
Estoy hecha polvo de tanto correr.	I am dead tired from running so much.
Los perros están hechos polvo después de jugar en el parque.	The dogs are dead tired after playing in the park.
Los niños están hechos polvo después del día en el parque de atracciones.	The children are dead tired after the day at the amusement park.

Examples with Cansar

The following table provides examples of using the verb cansar to indicate that something or someone is causing tiredness.

Spanish	English
El trabajo me cansa mucho.	The work tires me a lot.
La reunión me cansó.	The meeting tired me.
Caminar tanto cansa.	Walking so much is tiring.
Las discusiones cansan a la gente.	Arguments tire people.
Este libro me está cansando.	This book is tiring me.
Ese ruido me cansa.	That noise tires me.
Me cansa esperar.	Waiting tires me.
Te cansa la rutina?	Does the routine tire you?
Me cansa tener que explicarlo otra vez.	It tires me to have to explain it again.
Me cansa que siempre llegues tarde.	It tires me that you are always late.
El calor cansa a los animales.	The heat tires the animals.
La monotonía cansa a cualquiera.	Monotony tires anyone.
Me cansa tu negatividad.	Your negativity tires me.
Me cansa oírte quejarte.	It tires me to hear you complain.
Me cansa esta situación.	This situation tires me.
Me cansa tener que limpiar siempre yo.	It tires me to always have to clean myself.
A mi padre le cansa trabajar hasta tarde.	It tires my father to work until late.
A mi madre le cansa cocinar todos los días.	It tires my mother to cook every day.
A los niños les cansa estar encerrados en casa.	It tires the children to be locked up at home.
A los estudiantes les cansa tanto estudio.	It tires the students so much studying.
¿Te cansa este trabajo?	Does this job tire you?
¿Qué te cansa más?	What tires you the most?
Me cansa el tráfico.	The traffic tires me.
Me cansa esta conversación.	This conversation tires me.
Nos cansa tener que esperar tanto.	It tires us to have to wait so long.

Usage Rules and Grammatical Considerations

Using these expressions correctly requires understanding a few key grammatical rules. These include gender and number agreement, the distinction between ser and estar, and the use of reflexive verbs.

Gender and Number Agreement

Adjectives in Spanish must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they modify. When using expressions like estar cansado/a or estar agotado/a, the adjective must agree with the subject of the sentence.

For example:

• Yo estoy cansado (I am tired – male speaker)
• Yo estoy cansada (I am tired – female speaker)
• Nosotros estamos cansados (We are tired – masculine or mixed group)
• Nosotras estamos cansadas (We are tired – all-female group)

Ser vs. Estar

The verbs ser and estar both mean “to be,” but they are used in different contexts. Estar is used to describe temporary states or conditions, while ser is used to describe permanent characteristics or qualities. Because tiredness is a temporary state, we use estar with adjectives like cansado/a, agotado/a, and rendido/a.

Reflexive Verbs and Tiredness

While not directly related to saying “tired,” reflexive verbs can sometimes be used in contexts related to becoming tired. For instance, you might say “Me canso fácilmente” (I get tired easily), where cansarse is the reflexive form of cansar.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Learners often make certain mistakes when expressing tiredness in Spanish. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Soy cansado.	Estoy cansado.	Using ser instead of estar to describe a temporary state.
Tengo cansado.	Estoy cansado.	Using tener with cansado is incorrect; use estar.
Estoy cansado (said by a female).	Estoy cansada.	Forgetting to match the gender of the adjective to the speaker.
Tengo sueño después del trabajo (but meaning “I am tired after work”).	Estoy cansado/a después del trabajo.	Using tener sueño when you mean generally tired, not specifically sleepy.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of “tired” in Spanish.

1. Yo ________ (estar) ________ (cansado, masculine) después de correr.
2. Ella ________ (estar) ________ (agotado, feminine) después de trabajar todo el
   día.
3. Nosotros ________ (estar) ________ (rendido, masculine, plural) después del partido.
4. ¿Tú ________ (estar) ________ (hecho polvo, masculine) después de la fiesta?
5. Ellas ________ (estar) ________ (cansado, feminine, plural) de esperar el autobús.

Answers:

1. Yo estoy cansado después de correr.
2. Ella está agotada después de trabajar todo el día.
3. Nosotros estamos rendidos después del partido.
4. ¿Tú estás hecho polvo después de la fiesta?
5. Ellas están cansadas de esperar el autobús.

Advanced Topics: Idiomatic Expressions and Regional Variations

Beyond the basic expressions, Spanish offers a variety of idiomatic ways to express tiredness, and these can vary by region. Understanding these nuances can add depth to your comprehension and expression.

• Regional Variations: In some regions, you might hear expressions like “Estoy molido/a” (I’m ground up) which is similar to “Estoy hecho/a polvo.” Always be aware that colloquial expressions can vary widely.
• Idiomatic Expressions:
  • No poder más: To not be able to anymore (implying extreme exhaustion). Example: “No puedo más con este trabajo.” (I can’t handle this job anymore.)
  • Estar para el arrastre: To be completely down and out (very tired and often unwell).

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering the art of expressing “tired” in Spanish involves understanding various expressions, grammatical rules, and contextual nuances. From the basic estar cansado/a to the more emphatic estar hecho/a polvo, each phrase conveys a different degree of weariness. By practicing these expressions and being mindful of gender agreement and the use of ser versus estar, you can communicate your feelings accurately and effectively. Additionally, being aware of regional variations and idiomatic expressions will further enhance your fluency and cultural competence. So, go ahead and use these newfound skills to express yourself authentically in Spanish!