Mastering “Tired” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Expressing tiredness is a fundamental part of everyday conversation. In Spanish, there are multiple ways to convey this common feeling, each with its own nuances and grammatical structures.

Understanding these variations will not only enrich your vocabulary but also allow you to communicate more accurately and naturally. This article provides a comprehensive guide to expressing “tired” in Spanish, covering various expressions, grammatical rules, common mistakes, and practical exercises.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you master this essential aspect of the Spanish language.

This guide is designed to benefit anyone learning Spanish, from beginners just starting to build their vocabulary to advanced learners looking to refine their understanding of idiomatic expressions and grammatical subtleties. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and practice needed to confidently and accurately express tiredness in a variety of contexts.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition: “Tired” in Spanish
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types and Categories of Expressions
   • Estar cansado/a
   • Tener sueño
   • Estar agotado/a
   • Estar hecho/a polvo
   • No poder más
   • Other Expressions for “Tired”
5. Examples
   • Estar cansado/a Examples
   • Tener sueño Examples
   • Estar agotado/a Examples
   • Estar hecho/a polvo Examples
   • No poder más Examples
   • Other Expressions Examples
6. Usage Rules
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
   • Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
   • Exercise 2: Translation
   • Exercise 3: Sentence Construction
9. Advanced Topics
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition: “Tired” in Spanish

The English word “tired” can be translated into Spanish in several ways, depending on the nuance you want to convey. The most common translations revolve around the concepts of physical exhaustion, sleepiness, and general weariness.

These translations are not always interchangeable, and choosing the correct one is crucial for accurate communication. Understanding the subtle differences between these expressions allows you to express yourself more effectively and understand native speakers better.

The primary ways to say “tired” in Spanish include: estar cansado/a (to be tired), tener sueño (to be sleepy), estar agotado/a (to be exhausted), and estar hecho/a polvo (to be worn out). Each of these expressions carries a slightly different connotation and is used in specific contexts. We will explore these differences in detail in the following sections.

Structural Breakdown

The Spanish expressions for “tired” generally follow a simple grammatical structure. The most common structure involves the verb estar (to be) followed by an adjective describing the state of tiredness. Another common structure uses the verb tener (to have) followed by the noun sueño (sleepiness). Understanding the basic structure of each expression is essential for forming grammatically correct sentences.

For expressions using estar, the adjective must agree in gender and number with the subject. For example, a male speaker would say “Estoy cansado,” while a female speaker would say “Estoy cansada.” Similarly, for plural subjects, the adjective must be pluralized. For expressions using tener, the noun sueño remains singular, regardless of the number or gender of the subject.

Types and Categories of Expressions

Estar cansado/a

Estar cansado/a is the most common and versatile way to say “tired” in Spanish. It generally refers to physical or mental fatigue. The adjective cansado/a must agree in gender and number with the subject. This expression is suitable for a wide range of situations, from feeling tired after a long day at work to feeling tired after a strenuous workout.

The verb estar is used here because it describes a temporary state of being. Tiredness is not a permanent characteristic, but rather a condition that changes over time. Therefore, estar is the appropriate verb to use in this context. Remember to adjust the adjective ending based on the speaker’s gender: -o for masculine and -a for feminine.

Tener sueño

Tener sueño specifically means “to be sleepy.” It expresses the desire to sleep or the feeling of drowsiness. This expression is used when you feel like you need to go to bed or when you are struggling to stay awake. Unlike estar cansado/a, tener sueño does not vary in gender or number; it always remains in the singular form.

The verb tener is used here to express the sensation of having sleepiness. The noun sueño refers specifically to the desire to sleep. This expression is useful when you want to convey that you are not just tired, but specifically in need of sleep.

Estar agotado/a

Estar agotado/a means “to be exhausted.” This expression is stronger than estar cansado/a and implies a higher degree of fatigue. It is used when you are completely drained, either physically or mentally. The adjective agotado/a must agree in gender and number with the subject, similar to cansado/a.

Using agotado/a signals a more intense level of tiredness. It suggests that you have reached a point of near depletion. This expression is particularly useful after engaging in strenuous activities or enduring prolonged periods of stress.

Estar hecho/a polvo

Estar hecho/a polvo is an idiomatic expression that translates to “to be worn out” or “to be shattered.” It’s a more colorful and emphatic way of expressing extreme tiredness. The phrase hecho/a polvo must agree in gender and number with the subject. This expression is best used in informal contexts.

This expression is a vivid way to describe feeling completely broken down or depleted. It paints a picture of being reduced to dust, emphasizing the extreme nature of your tiredness.

While effective, it’s important to use this phrase appropriately, as it is quite strong.

No poder más

No poder más translates to “to not be able to take it anymore” or “to be at the end of your rope.” While not directly translating to “tired,” it often implies extreme fatigue and exhaustion. It expresses the feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to continue. This expression does not change based on gender or number.

This phrase goes beyond simply stating that you’re tired; it conveys a sense of desperation and the feeling that you have reached your limit. It’s often used in situations where you are not only physically or mentally exhausted but also emotionally drained.

Other Expressions for “Tired”

Besides the common expressions mentioned above, there are other ways to express tiredness in Spanish, each with its own specific nuance. These include:

• Estar molido/a: To be beat, to be worn out (similar to estar agotado/a).
• Tener mucho cansancio: To have a lot of tiredness.
• Estar reventado/a: To be shattered, to be completely exhausted (very informal).
• Caerse de sueño: To be falling asleep (literally, “to fall from sleepiness”).

Examples

Here are some examples of how to use each of the expressions for “tired” in Spanish, categorized for clarity. These examples will help you understand the context and usage of each phrase.

Estar cansado/a Examples

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

Spanish	English
Estoy cansado después del trabajo.	I am tired after work. (Male speaker)
Estoy cansada después del trabajo.	I am tired after work. (Female speaker)
Estamos cansados de estudiar.	We are tired of studying. (Male/Mixed group)
Estamos cansadas de estudiar.	We are tired of studying. (Female group)
¿Estás cansado de esperar?	Are you tired of waiting? (Male)
¿Estás cansada de esperar?	Are you tired of waiting? (Female)
Él está cansado de la rutina.	He is tired of the routine.
Ella está cansada de las mentiras.	She is tired of the lies.
Ellos están cansados del ruido.	They are tired of the noise. (Male/Mixed group)
Ellas están cansadas del calor.	They are tired of the heat. (Female group)
Estoy cansado de caminar tanto.	I’m tired of walking so much. (Male speaker)
Estoy cansada de hablar por teléfono.	I’m tired of talking on the phone. (Female speaker)
Estamos cansados de la misma comida.	We are tired of the same food. (Male/Mixed group)
Estamos cansadas de las malas noticias.	We are tired of the bad news. (Female group)
¿Estás cansado de este proyecto?	Are you tired of this project? (Male)
¿Estás cansada de esta película?	Are you tired of this movie? (Female)
Mi perro está cansado de jugar.	My dog is tired of playing. (Male dog implied)
Mi gata está cansada de dormir.	My cat is tired of sleeping. (Female cat implied)
Los niños están cansados de viajar.	The children are tired of traveling. (Male/Mixed group)
Las niñas están cansadas de la escuela.	The girls are tired of school. (Female group)
Estoy cansado de ti.	I am tired of you. (Male speaker)
Estoy cansada de ti.	I am tired of you. (Female speaker)
Estamos cansados de sus excusas.	We are tired of their excuses. (Male/Mixed group)
Estamos cansadas de sus quejas.	We are tired of their complaints. (Female group)
¿Estás cansado de mí?	Are you tired of me? (Male)
¿Estás cansada de mí?	Are you tired of me? (Female)

As you can see from the examples, “estar cansado/a” is used in a variety of contexts, ranging from physical tiredness to emotional weariness. It’s a versatile expression that can be adapted to suit different situations.

Tener sueño Examples

The following table illustrates the use of “tener sueño,” which specifically expresses sleepiness or the desire to sleep.

Spanish	English
Tengo mucho sueño después de cenar.	I am very sleepy after dinner.
Tenemos sueño después de la fiesta.	We are sleepy after the party.
¿Tienes sueño?	Are you sleepy?
Él tiene sueño durante la clase.	He is sleepy during the class.
Ella tiene sueño por la mañana.	She is sleepy in the morning.
Tengo sueño, voy a dormir.	I’m sleepy, I’m going to sleep.
Tenemos sueño, deberíamos irnos.	We’re sleepy, we should leave.
¿Tienes sueño o estás aburrido?	Are you sleepy or are you bored?
Él tiene sueño porque no durmió bien.	He is sleepy because he didn’t sleep well.
Ella tiene sueño después de leer.	She is sleepy after reading.
Tengo sueño y quiero un café.	I’m sleepy and I want a coffee.
Tenemos sueño y necesitamos descansar.	We are sleepy and we need to rest.
¿Tienes sueño o quieres seguir hablando?	Are you sleepy or do you want to keep talking?
Él tiene sueño, pero tiene que terminar el trabajo.	He is sleepy, but he has to finish the work.
Ella tiene sueño, así que se va a la cama.	She is sleepy, so she’s going to bed.
Tengo mucho sueño esta noche.	I am very sleepy tonight.
Tenemos mucho sueño después del viaje.	We are very sleepy after the trip.
¿Tienes mucho sueño?	Are you very sleepy?
Él tiene mucho sueño después de correr.	He is very sleepy after running.
Ella tiene mucho sueño después de estudiar.	She is very sleepy after studying.
Tengo sueño incluso después de ocho horas de sueño.	I’m sleepy even after eight hours of sleep.
Tenemos sueño a pesar de haber dormido mucho.	We’re sleepy despite having slept a lot.
¿Tienes sueño aunque hayas tomado café?	Are you sleepy even though you had coffee?
Él tiene sueño a pesar de que es temprano.	He is sleepy even though it’s early.
Ella tiene sueño a pesar de haber descansado.	She is sleepy despite having rested.

Notice that “tener sueño” always uses the singular form “sueño,” regardless of the number of people who are sleepy. This expression focuses specifically on the feeling of sleepiness.

Estar agotado/a Examples

The following table provides examples of using “estar agotado/a” to express exhaustion.

Spanish	English
Estoy agotado después de la maratón.	I am exhausted after the marathon. (Male speaker)
Estoy agotada después de la maratón.	I am exhausted after the marathon. (Female speaker)
Estamos agotados después del viaje.	We are exhausted after the trip. (Male/Mixed group)
Estamos agotadas después del viaje.	We are exhausted after the trip. (Female group)
¿Estás agotado de trabajar tanto?	Are you exhausted from working so much? (Male)
¿Estás agotada de trabajar tanto?	Are you exhausted from working so much? (Female)
Él está agotado después de la mudanza.	He is exhausted after the move.
Ella está agotada después de cuidar a los niños.	She is exhausted after taking care of the children.
Ellos están agotados después del partido.	They are exhausted after the game. (Male/Mixed group)
Ellas están agotadas después de la presentación.	They are exhausted after the presentation. (Female group)
Estoy agotado mentalmente.	I am mentally exhausted. (Male speaker)
Estoy agotada mentalmente.	I am mentally exhausted. (Female speaker)
Estamos agotados física y mentalmente.	We are physically and mentally exhausted. (Male/Mixed group)
Estamos agotadas emocionalmente.	We are emotionally exhausted. (Female group)
¿Estás agotado de la vida?	Are you exhausted with life? (Male)
¿Estás agotada de la rutina?	Are you exhausted with the routine? (Female)
Estoy agotado de luchar.	I’m exhausted from fighting. (Male speaker)
Estoy agotada de discutir.	I’m exhausted from arguing. (Female speaker)
Estamos agotados de la situación.	We are exhausted with the situation. (Male/Mixed group)
Estamos agotadas de esperar resultados.	We are exhausted from waiting for results. (Female group)
¿Estás agotado de intentarlo?	Are you exhausted from trying? (Male)
¿Estás agotada de dar explicaciones?	Are you exhausted from giving explanations? (Female)

Using “estar agotado/a” implies a much higher degree of tiredness than “estar cansado/a.” It suggests that you are completely drained and have little energy left.

Estar hecho/a polvo Examples

The following table shows examples of using the idiomatic expression “estar hecho/a polvo” to convey being worn out or shattered.

Spanish	English
Estoy hecho polvo después del concierto.	I am shattered after the concert. (Male speaker)
Estoy hecha polvo después del concierto.	I am shattered after the concert. (Female speaker)
Estamos hechos polvo después de la fiesta.	We are worn out after the party. (Male/Mixed group)
Estamos hechas polvo después de la fiesta.	We are worn out after the party. (Female group)
Él está hecho polvo después del entrenamiento.	He is shattered after training.
Ella está hecha polvo después de la jornada laboral.	She is shattered after the workday.
Estoy hecho polvo, necesito vacaciones.	I’m shattered, I need a vacation. (Male speaker)
Estoy hecha polvo, necesito un masaje.	I’m shattered, I need a massage. (Female speaker)
Estamos hechos polvo, deberíamos descansar.	We’re worn out, we should rest. (Male/Mixed group)
Estamos hechas polvo, necesitamos dormir.	We’re worn out, we need to sleep. (Female group)
El perro está hecho polvo de correr.	The dog is shattered from running. (Male dog implied)
La gata está hecha polvo de jugar.	The cat is shattered from playing. (Female cat implied)
Los niños están hechos polvo de tanto nadar.	The children are worn out from so much swimming. (Male/Mixed group)
Las niñas están hechas polvo de tanto bailar.	The girls are worn out from so much dancing. (Female group)
Estoy hecho polvo por el estrés.	I’m shattered by the stress. (Male speaker)
Estoy hecha polvo por la preocupación.	I’m shattered by the worry. (Female speaker)
Estamos hechos polvo por los problemas.	We’re worn out by the problems. (Male/Mixed group)
Estamos hechas polvo por las dificultades.	We’re worn out by the difficulties. (Female group)

This expression is more informal and emphatic than “estar cansado/a” or “estar agotado/a.” It’s a colorful way to describe feeling completely worn out.

No poder más Examples

The following table provides examples of using “no poder más” to express being at the end of your rope.

Spanish	English
No puedo más con este trabajo.	I can’t take this job anymore.
No podemos más con esta situación.	We can’t take this situation anymore.
Ya no puedo más.	I can’t take it anymore.
No puedo más, necesito un descanso.	I can’t take it anymore, I need a break.
Él no puede más con la presión.	He can’t take the pressure anymore.
Ella no puede más con las responsabilidades.	She can’t take the responsibilities anymore.
No puedo más con el ruido.	I can’t take the noise anymore.
No puedo más con la gente.	I can’t take the people anymore.
No podemos más con las deudas.	We can’t take the debts anymore.
No podemos más con los problemas.	We can’t take the problems anymore.
No puedo más con la mentira.	I can’t take the lying anymore.
No puedo más con la injusticia.	I can’t take the injustice anymore.
No podemos más con la espera.	We can’t take the waiting anymore.
No puedo más, necesito un cambio.	I can’t take it anymore, I need a change.
No puedo más, me voy.	I can’t take it anymore, I’m leaving.

This expression implies a feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to continue. It’s often used in situations where you are not only tired but also emotionally drained.

Other Expressions Examples

Here are examples of the other expressions for “tired” mentioned earlier.

Spanish	English
Estoy molido después del partido de fútbol.	I am beat after the soccer game. (Male speaker)
Tengo mucho cansancio después de trabajar todo el día.	I have a lot of tiredness after working all day.
Estoy reventado después de la fiesta.	I am shattered after the party. (Male speaker)
Me caigo de sueño.	I am falling asleep.

Usage Rules

When using the expressions for “tired” in Spanish, it’s important to follow certain grammatical rules to ensure accuracy. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:

• Gender and Number Agreement: For expressions using estar, the adjective (cansado/a, agotado/a, hecho/a polvo, molido/a, reventado/a) must agree in gender and number with the subject.
• Verb Choice: Use estar to describe a temporary state of being (tiredness, exhaustion). Use tener to express the sensation of having sleepiness.
• Context: Choose the appropriate expression based on the degree of tiredness you want to convey. Estar cansado/a is general tiredness, tener sueño is sleepiness, estar agotado/a is exhaustion, and estar hecho/a polvo is being worn out.
• Formal vs. Informal: Be mindful of the formality of the expression. Estar hecho/a polvo and estar reventado/a are more informal and should be used in casual settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often make certain common mistakes when expressing “tired” in Spanish. Here are some of the most frequent errors and how to avoid them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Soy cansado.	Estoy cansado.	The verb ser is used for permanent characteristics, while estar is used for temporary states.
Tengo cansado.	Estoy cansado.	Tener is not used with the adjective cansado. Tener sueño is the correct expression for sleepiness.
Estoy sueño.	Tengo sueño.	Estar is not used with the noun sueño. The correct expression is tener sueño.
Estamos hecho polvo.	Estamos hechos polvo.	The adjective hecho/a polvo must agree in gender and number with the subject.
No puedo más con.	No puedo más.	The preposition con is often unnecessary after “no puedo más” if the context is clear.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of the expressions for “tired” in Spanish with these practice exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of estar cansado/a, tener sueño, estar agotado/a, or estar hecho/a polvo.

Question	Answer
1. Yo ______ después de correr. (male)	Estoy cansado
2. Ella ______ porque no durmió bien.	Tiene sueño
3. Nosotros ______ después de trabajar todo el día. (mixed group)	Estamos agotados
4. Ellas ______ después de la mudanza.	Están hechas polvo
5. ¿Tú ______ después de estudiar? (female)	Estás cansada
6. Yo ______ después de la fiesta. (female)	Estoy hecha polvo
7. Nosotros ______ después del viaje. (female group)	Estamos agotadas
8. Él ______ después de jugar al fútbol.	Está agotado
9. Yo ______ , necesito dormir. (male)	Tengo sueño
10. Ellos ______ después del concierto. (mixed group)	Están hechos polvo

Exercise 2: Translation

Translate the following sentences into Spanish using the appropriate expression for “tired.”

English	Spanish
1. I am very tired after the meeting. (male)	Estoy muy cansado después de la reunión.
2. She is sleepy after reading the book.	Ella tiene sueño después de leer el libro.
3. We are exhausted after the marathon. (female group)	Estamos agotadas después de la maratón.
4. They are worn out after the trip. (mixed group)	Están hechos polvo después del viaje.
5. Are you sleepy? (female)	¿Tienes sueño?
6. He can’t take it anymore.	No puede más.
7. I am shattered after working all day. (male)	Estoy hecho polvo después de trabajar todo el día.
8. She is very tired of the routine.	Ella está muy cansada de la rutina.
9. We are too sleepy to continue.	Tenemos demasiado sueño para continuar.
10. He is exhausted from the pressure.	Está agotado por la presión.

Exercise 3: Sentence Construction

Create sentences in Spanish using the given prompts and the appropriate expression for “tired.”

Prompt	Possible Answer
1. Yo / después de correr / estar cansado	Estoy cansado después de correr.
2. Ella / no dormir bien / tener sueño	Ella tiene sueño porque no durmió bien.
3. Nosotros / trabajar todo el día / estar agotados (mixed)	Estamos agotados después de trabajar todo el día.
4. Ellos / la fiesta / estar hechos polvo (mixed)	Están hechos polvo después de la fiesta.
5. Tú / estudiar / estar cansado (female)	Estás cansada de estudiar.
6. Él / la presión / no poder más	Él no puede más con la presión.
7. Yo / el viaje / estar agotado (male)	Estoy agotado después del viaje.
8. Nosotros / el ruido / no poder más	Nosotros no podemos más con el ruido.
9. Ella / la rutina / estar cansada	Ella está cansada de la rutina.
10. Ellos / la caminata / estar hechos polvo (male)	Ellos están hechos polvo después de la caminata.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of expressing tiredness can extend beyond the basic expressions. Consider these advanced topics:

• Subjunctive Mood: Using the subjunctive mood to express doubt or uncertainty about someone’s tiredness. For example, “Dudo que esté cansado” (I doubt that he is tired).
• Idiomatic Variations: Exploring regional variations in expressions for tiredness. Some regions may have unique phrases or slang terms.
• Figurative Language: Using metaphors and similes to describe tiredness in a more creative way. For example, “Me siento como un trapo viejo” (I feel like an old rag).

FAQ

Conclusion

Mastering the expressions for “tired” in Spanish involves understanding the nuances of each phrase and using them appropriately in different contexts. By learning the grammatical rules, avoiding common mistakes, and practicing with exercises, you can confidently and accurately express your level of tiredness in Spanish. Whether you’re feeling mildly fatigued (estar cansado/a), sleepy (tener sueño), completely exhausted (estar agotado/a), or utterly worn out (estar hecho/a polvo), you now have the tools to communicate effectively in Spanish.

Continue practicing these expressions in your daily conversations to reinforce your understanding and fluency. The more you use these phrases, the more natural they will become, allowing you to express yourself with greater ease and precision.

Keep exploring the richness of the Spanish language, and you’ll find that expressing even the simplest concepts can be a rewarding and enriching experience.