Entry
ヘロヘロ
herohero
Describes a state of extreme physical or mental exhaustion, or an object that has lost its firmness and become flimsy.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ヘロヘロ (herohero) describes losing all physical or mental energy, resulting in a state of extreme exhaustion or weakness where one feels wobbly. It can also describe objects that have lost their original stiffness, becoming limp, stretched out, or flimsy, such as an old rubber band or a worn-out t-shirt collar.
- Extreme physical or mental exhaustion
- Objects losing tension and becoming flimsy
Sense Map
Exhaustion
Used when someone is completely worn out, lacking the energy to even stand straight or function normally.
毎日残業でヘロヘロだ。
Limp & Flimsy
Used for things or body parts that have lost their firmness, tension, or shape, becoming weak or wobbly.
シャツの襟がヘロヘロになった。
Usage Note
How to Use
ヘロヘロになる
The most common pattern, meaning 'to become completely exhausted' or 'to become limp'.
ヘロヘロだ
Used to state the current condition of being extremely exhausted or flimsy.
ヘロヘロに + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying an action done in an exhausted state (e.g., getting tired to the point of becoming limp).
ヘロヘロな + noun
Modifies a noun, describing a flimsy object or an exhausted person.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ヘロヘロになる
to become completely exhausted / limp
ヘロヘロに疲れる
to be tired to the point of turning to jelly
ヘロヘロの状態
a state of total exhaustion
ヘロヘロな声
a weak, exhausted voice
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical fatigue or sports | neutral | Commonly used to express severe tiredness after hard work, sports, or illness, often with a self-deprecating, casual tone. |
| Worn-out objects | negative | Appropriate for describing items that have lost their elasticity or tension, such as a stretched collar or flimsy paper. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
へとへと へとへと / similar | When someone is completely exhausted and has zero energy left. | ヘトヘト focuses purely on the lack of energy, while ヘロヘロ emphasizes the physical loss of strength, like becoming wobbly or limp. | ヘトヘトに疲れる |
くたくた くたくた / similar | When you are worn out, or when things (like clothes or boiled vegetables) lose their shape and stiffness. | Both can describe exhaustion and loss of shape, but くたくた is more commonly used for physical tiredness that makes you want to collapse, or for well-cooked food. | くたくたになる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to express sleepiness.
ヘロヘロ describes losing physical strength or energy, not simply being sleepy. Use ウトウト (utouto) for sleepiness.
Using it in formal written Japanese.
It is a casual spoken word. Avoid using it in formal essays or business emails.
Examples
Examples
毎日残業で、もうヘロヘロだ。
まいにちざんぎょうで、もうヘロヘロだ。
I've been working overtime every day, and I'm completely exhausted.
LiteralDescribes extreme physical and mental exhaustion from working.
暑さのせいで、体がヘロヘロになる。
あつさのせいで、からだがヘロヘロになる。
The heat is making my body completely drained.
LiteralDescribes the literal physical sensation of the body losing all its strength.
長い間使っていたゴムがヘロヘロになっている。
ながいあいだつかっていたゴムがヘロヘロになっている。
The rubber band I've used for a long time has become flimsy and stretched out.
VisualDescribes the visual state of an object that has lost its elasticity and become flimsy.
マラソンを完走した後は、足がヘロヘロで歩けなかった。
マラソンをかんそうしたあとは、あしがヘロヘロであるけなかった。
After finishing the marathon, my legs were like jelly and I couldn't walk.
LiteralRefers to the physical state of legs turning to jelly after intense exercise.
風邪を引いて、声がヘロヘロだ。
かぜをひいて、こえがヘロヘロだ。
I caught a cold and my voice is weak.
LiteralUsed to describe a voice that has lost its energy and sounds weak.
Similar Words
ヘトヘト
hetoheto
This word describes a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue where one's energy is completely drained. Both mean exhausted, but hetoheto emphasizes the total depletion of energy.
くたくた
kutakuta
Describes being completely exhausted, clothing that has become soft and worn out from use, or food boiled until it is mushy. Both describe physical exhaustion or things becoming limp/flimsy.
へなへな
henahena
Describes something flimsy and easy to bend, or a sudden loss of strength causing one to collapse helplessly.
ボロボロ
boroboro
Describes something that is severely worn out, objects crumbling or falling in large drops, or being physically and mentally exhausted.
ヨレヨレ
yoreyore
Describes something that has lost its original shape and become worn-out (like old clothes), or someone who is physically exhausted.
Questions
Can I use ヘロヘロ in a formal or business setting?
No, ヘロヘロ is a casual and colloquial expression. In formal or business contexts, it is better to use words like 疲労困憊 (hirou konpai) to describe extreme exhaustion, or simply apologize for any inconvenience.
Is there a difference between ヘロヘロ and ヘトヘト?
Yes. While both mean 'exhausted', ヘロヘロ emphasizes the physical loss of tension—like your body becoming wobbly or limbs turning to jelly. ヘトヘト simply means you have completely run out of energy.
Can ヘロヘロ be used for inanimate objects?
Yes, it is very commonly used for things that have lost their stiffness, elasticity, or original shape, such as an old rubber band, a stretched-out t-shirt collar, or flimsy paper.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2233350
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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