Entry
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.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word covers three distinct areas: physical exhaustion where one loses all strength, objects like clothes that have lost their stiffness and become thin, and cooking where ingredients are boiled until they lose their shape.
- Total physical drainage
- Soft and battered condition of long-used items
- The state of being boiled to a pulp
Sense Map
Physical Fatigue
Used when a person feels so tired that their body feels limp and they have no energy left.
一日中歩き回ってくたくたになった。
Condition of Objects
Describes fabric or clothing that has lost its original stiffness and become soft or thin due to excessive wear.
十枚以上着たのでシャツがくたくただ。
Cooking Texture
Describes vegetables or food items that have been boiled for a long time until they are very soft or mushy.
野菜をくたくたになるまで煮る。
Usage Note
How to Use
くたくただ
Functions as a na-adjective at the end of a sentence to describe a current state.
くたくたになる
Indicates a change into a state of exhaustion, wear, or mushiness.
くたくたに（動詞）
Acts as an adverb to describe how an action (like cooking) is performed.
くたくたの（名詞）
Acts as a no-adjective to modify a noun, typically clothing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
くたくたに疲れる
To be tired to the bone
くたくたに煮る
To boil to a pulp
くたくたのシャツ
A worn-out, floppy shirt
体がくたくただ
My body is exhausted
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Work/Exercise | Neutral | Very common and natural to use after a long day. |
| Old Items | Negative | Implies the object has lost its quality and looks unkempt. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
へとへと へとへと / similar | Use when strictly talking about extreme physical tiredness. | Hetoheto cannot be used for clothes or cooking. | 階段を上ってヘトヘトだ。 |
ぼろぼろ ぼろぼろ / similar | Use for things that are literally falling apart or full of holes. | Boroboro emphasizes damage, while kutakuta emphasizes the loss of stiffness/strength. | ボロボロの靴を捨てる。 |
よれよれ よれよれ / similar | Use specifically for clothes that are wrinkled and out of shape. | Yoreyore is more about the visual wrinkles; kutakuta is more about the feel of the fabric. | ヨレヨレのスーツを着る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Thinking it only applies to people.
Remember it's also very common for old clothes and soft-boiled vegetables.
Confusing it with just being a bit sleepy.
Kutakuta is for physical depletion of energy, not just feeling drowsy.
Examples
Examples
一日中外で仕事をしていたので、もうくたくただ。
いちにちじゅうそとでしごとをしていたので、もうくたくただ。
I've been working outside all day, so I'm dead tired.
LiteralIndicates physical exhaustion after heavy activity.
このお気に入りのシャツは、もう何年も着ているのでくたくたになっている。
このおきにいりのシャツは、もうなんねんもきているのでくたくたになっている。
I've worn this favorite shirt for years, so it's become all worn out.
VisualDescribes fabric that has become thin and limp.
白菜をくたくたになるまで煮ると、味がよく染みて美味しい。
はくさいをくたくたになるまでにると、あじがよくしみておいしい。
If you boil Chinese cabbage until it's mushy, the flavor soaks in and it's delicious.
LiteralDescribes the very soft texture of vegetables in cooking.
一週間の出張が終わって、精神的にもくたくたになった。
いっしゅうかんのしゅっちょうがおわって、せいしんてきにもくたくたになった。
After the one-week business trip ended, I was mentally exhausted as well.
FigurativeFigurative use for mental or emotional exhaustion.
古いカバンがくたくたで、もう形を保てなくなっている。
ふるいカバンがくたくたで、もうかたちをたもてなくなっている。
The old bag is so worn out that it can no longer hold its shape.
VisualIndicates loss of stiffness in objects other than clothing.
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. Only for human physical exhaustion.
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. Emphasizes being damaged or tattered.
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. Specific to wrinkled clothing.
Questions
Is kutakuta the same as 'tired'?
It's much stronger than 'tired'. It's closer to 'dead tired' or 'exhausted'.
Can I use it for my boss?
No, it's quite casual. Use 'tsukaremashita' or more formal terms in a business setting.
Is 'kutakuta' a bad thing in cooking?
Not necessarily! For many Japanese soups, having 'kutakuta' vegetables is the goal for a comforting texture.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1003770
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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