contextual

How do I say ‘I’m exhausted’?

Very natural in casual speech, but deliberately dramatic rather than a neutral description.

累死我了

lèi sǐ wǒ le

I’m completely exhausted.

LITERAL

I am tired to death.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS

I’m completely exhausted.

WHEN IT FITS

Casual conversation after a long dayComplaining to friends, family, or close coworkersNot suitable as a literal medical statement

Chinese often uses 死了 after an adjective to intensify a feeling: tired to death, hungry to death, or nervous to death. The tone is emotional and conversational.

If you are simply reporting that you are tired, 我好累 is more neutral. If you are saying you cannot continue, 我不行了 focuses on reaching your limit rather than on tiredness itself.

HOW PEOPLE ACTUALLY SAY IT

今天开了一整天会，累死我了。

Jīntiān kāi le yì zhěng tiān huì, lèi sǐ wǒ le.

I was in meetings all day. I’m exhausted.

Casual complaint after work

爬完这座山，我真的累死了。

Pá wán zhè zuò shān, wǒ zhēn de lèi sǐ le.

After climbing this mountain, I’m genuinely wiped out.

Physical exhaustion

CHOOSE BY SITUATION

我好累

wǒ hǎo lèi

I’m so tired.

The safest neutral choice in most everyday situations

我不行了

wǒ bù xíng le

I can’t keep going.

You feel you have reached your limit