Entry
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.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term refers to a state where something has lost its crispness, stiffness, or original shape due to repeated use, ending up looking shabby, wrinkled, or stretched out. It is most commonly applied to clothing, especially collars that have lost their elasticity. Metaphorically, it is frequently used to describe a person who is entirely drained of energy and limp from hard work or exertion.
- Clothing or fabric that is stretched out, wrinkled, or shabby.
- A person who is physically exhausted and drained.
Sense Map
Clothing & Fabric (Worn-out)
Used for clothes or materials that have lost their original shape, becoming stretched, wrinkled, and looking old from frequent wear.
ヨレヨレのシャツ
Physical Condition (Exhausted)
Describes a person's physical state when they are completely worn out, out of energy, and seemingly limp.
仕事でヨレヨレになる
Usage Note
How to Use
ヨレヨレになる
Expresses a change in state, meaning 'to become worn-out' or 'to become exhausted'.
ヨレヨレだ
Used at the end of a sentence to state the current condition of being shabby or exhausted.
ヨレヨレの + Noun
Acts as an adjective to modify the following noun, such as 'a worn-out shirt' or 'a shabby suit'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ヨレヨレになる
to become worn out / to get exhausted
ヨレヨレのシャツ
a worn-out, stretched shirt
首元がヨレヨレ
a stretched-out neckline
疲れでヨレヨレ
exhausted from fatigue
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing and Fabric | Negative | Implies that the clothing is no longer presentable for formal or neat occasions due to looking unkempt. |
| Human Physical Condition | Clinical / Empathetic | Used to express sympathy for someone who has overworked, or to complain about one's own extreme fatigue. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
くたくた くたくた / similar | Very similar when meaning exhausted, and also used for things that have lost their stiffness (like overboiled vegetables). | くたくた is more commonly used for general daily tiredness, while ヨレヨレ for clothes highlights wrinkles and the loss of structural shape. | くたくたに疲れる |
ぼろぼろ ぼろぼろ / similar | Used when the level of damage is much more severe, such as clothes that are actually torn or falling apart. | ヨレヨレ just means stretched, wrinkled, or shabby without severe tears. If it's heavily ripped, use ボロボロ. | ボロボロの服 |
へとへと へとへと / similar | Used exclusively to describe extreme physical exhaustion where one can hardly move. | ヘトヘト cannot be used to describe the condition of clothes or inanimate objects. | 歩き回ってヘトヘトだ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ヨレヨレ for broken electronic devices or solid objects.
ヨレヨレ is strictly for things made of fabric or paper that can lose their shape, or for people's energy levels. It does not mean mechanically broken.
Using it to mean 'dirty'.
While a worn-out shirt might also be dirty, ヨレヨレ itself specifically describes the physical loss of shape and crispness, not stains or dirt.
Examples
Examples
何度も洗濯したので、お気に入りのシャツがヨレヨレになった。
なんどもせんたくしたので、おきにいりのシャツがヨレヨレになった。
Because I've washed it many times, my favorite shirt has become stretched out and worn.
VisualUsed literally for clothes that have lost their shape from repeated washing.
毎日残業が続いて、彼はもうヨレヨレだ。
まいにちざんぎょうがつづいて、かれはもうヨレヨレだ。
With daily overtime continuing, he is already completely exhausted.
FigurativeFigurative use to show the complete loss of human physical energy.
ヨレヨレのスーツを着た男が駅の前に立っていた。
ヨレヨレのスーツをきたおとこがえきのまえにたっていた。
A man wearing a shabby, wrinkled suit was standing in front of the station.
VisualAs an adjective (の) to describe an unkempt appearance.
このシャツは首元がヨレヨレしているから、外には着ていけない。
このシャツはくびもとがヨレヨレしているから、そとにはきていけない。
The neckline of this shirt is stretched out, so I can't wear it outside.
VisualPoints out a specific part of clothing (the collar) that has lost its stiffness and elasticity.
マラソンを完走して、選手たちはヨレヨレの様子だった。
マラソンをかんそうして、せんしゅたちはヨレヨレのようすだった。
After finishing the marathon, the runners looked completely exhausted and limp.
FigurativeDescribes bodies that have lost their energy, much like fabric losing its shape.
Similar Words
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 are used for extreme tiredness or objects that have lost their original stiffness.
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. A more severe condition where the item is actually torn, broken, or falling apart.
ヘトヘト
hetoheto
This word describes a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue where one's energy is completely drained. Specifically for human physical exhaustion, cannot be used for inanimate objects.
Questions
Can I use ヨレヨレ for ripped clothes?
No, ヨレヨレ focuses on clothes that have lost their original shape (stretched or very wrinkled). If the clothes are ripped or torn, ボロボロ (boroboro) is the correct word.
Is this word formal?
No, it is casual. It is not suitable for highly formal business documents, though you might use it casually with close coworkers to describe how tired you are.
Can I say my book is ヨレヨレ?
Yes, especially if the cover or pages are crumpled, dog-eared, and have lost their stiffness from being handled too much or getting wet.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1632760
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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