A1 Collocation Neutre 3 min de lecture

feel tired

Be exhausted

Use `feel tired` to honestly share your energy level in any social or work situation.

En 15 secondes

  • Use it when you have low energy or need sleep.
  • Works in both casual and professional settings.
  • Commonly used to explain why you are quiet or leaving early.

Signification

This phrase describes the feeling of having no energy or wanting to sleep. It is what you say when your body or mind needs a break after a long day.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Waking up in the morning

I still feel tired even after eight hours of sleep.

I still feel tired even after eight hours of sleep.

😊
2

In a long afternoon meeting

I'm starting to feel tired, can we take a short break?

I'm starting to feel tired, can we take a short break?

💼
3

Texting a friend after a party

Great night, but I feel so tired now! Going to bed.

Great night, but I feel so tired now! Going to bed.

🤝
🌍

Contexte culturel

In Western culture, 'feeling tired' is often used as a social lubricant to express shared stress or a busy lifestyle. It is a socially acceptable way to decline an invitation without being rude. Interestingly, the phrase has become a common response to 'How are you?' in high-pressure urban environments like New York or London.

💡

The 'A Little' Trick

If you want to sound less negative, say `I feel a little tired`. It sounds more polite than a flat complaint.

⚠️

Tired vs. Tired Of

Don't confuse `feel tired` (sleepy) with `tired of` (annoyed/bored). Saying `I'm tired of you` is a mean thing to say to a friend!

En 15 secondes

  • Use it when you have low energy or need sleep.
  • Works in both casual and professional settings.
  • Commonly used to explain why you are quiet or leaving early.

What It Means

Feel tired is the most common way to say your battery is low. It covers everything from a small yawn to wanting to collapse on the sofa. It is a physical sensation but also a mental state. You can use it when you didn't sleep well. You can also use it after a long run or a hard day at work. It is simple, clear, and very honest.

How To Use It

You use this phrase with the verb to feel. You can say I feel tired or I am feeling tired. To make it stronger, add words like really or so. For example, I feel so tired today. It usually follows a reason. Maybe you stayed up late watching movies. Maybe your boss gave you too much work. It is a great way to start a conversation about your day. Just don't say it too much or people might think you are a bit grumpy!

When To Use It

Use this anytime you lack energy. It works perfectly when greeting a friend. If they ask How are you?, you can say I'm okay, just feeling a bit tired. It is also useful at the end of a party. It is a polite signal that you want to go home. In a meeting, you might say it to explain why you are quiet. It is a very safe, all-purpose phrase.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid using it as an excuse to be rude. Do not say it to your partner if they just cooked a big dinner for you. It might sound like you are bored of them! Also, if you are literally about to faint, tired is too weak. In that case, use exhausted. If you are bored of a situation, we say tired of something. That is different from just feeling tired.

Cultural Background

In many English-speaking cultures, being tired is almost a badge of honor. People love to talk about how busy they are. It is a very common way to bond with others. We often complain about being tired over a cup of coffee. It is the universal language of the modern, busy world. It is a soft way to show you are working hard.

Common Variations

You will hear people say I'm beat or I'm wiped out. These are more informal versions. If you are just a little bit tired, you can say I'm sleepy. If you are very tired, I'm exhausted is the best choice. In the UK, you might hear I'm knackered, but that is very casual. Stick to feel tired for a safe bet everywhere.

Notes d'usage

This is a neutral collocation suitable for all levels of English. It is most commonly used in the present tense to describe current physical states.

💡

The 'A Little' Trick

If you want to sound less negative, say `I feel a little tired`. It sounds more polite than a flat complaint.

⚠️

Tired vs. Tired Of

Don't confuse `feel tired` (sleepy) with `tired of` (annoyed/bored). Saying `I'm tired of you` is a mean thing to say to a friend!

💬

The Coffee Connection

In the US and UK, saying `I feel tired` is often a secret code for `I need more coffee`. Expect someone to offer you a cup!

Exemples

6
#1 Waking up in the morning
😊

I still feel tired even after eight hours of sleep.

I still feel tired even after eight hours of sleep.

Used to express that sleep didn't help.

#2 In a long afternoon meeting
💼

I'm starting to feel tired, can we take a short break?

I'm starting to feel tired, can we take a short break?

A polite way to request a pause.

#3 Texting a friend after a party
🤝

Great night, but I feel so tired now! Going to bed.

Great night, but I feel so tired now! Going to bed.

Explaining why you are ending the conversation.

#4 After a gym workout
😊

My legs feel tired after all those squats.

My legs feel tired after all those squats.

Applying the feeling to a specific body part.

#5 A humorous complaint to a roommate
😄

I feel tired just looking at that pile of dishes.

I feel tired just looking at that pile of dishes.

Using the phrase to show laziness or overwhelm.

#6 Talking to a doctor
👔

I have been feeling tired for the past two weeks.

I have been feeling tired for the past two weeks.

Describing a medical symptom clearly.

Teste-toi

Choose the best word to complete the sentence about needing a nap.

I worked all night, so I ___ very tired right now.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : feel

We use the verb `feel` to describe our internal physical or emotional state.

Add an adverb to show that you are extremely sleepy.

I stayed up until 4 AM, I feel ___ tired!

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : really

`Really` is a common intensifier used with `tired` to show a high level of fatigue.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of 'Feel Tired'

Slang

I'm beat / I'm spent

Yo, I'm beat.

Casual

Talking to friends

I feel tired, man.

Neutral

Standard everyday use

I feel tired today.

Formal

Professional or medical

I am experiencing fatigue.

Where to say 'I feel tired'

feel tired
💼

At the Office

I feel tired after that presentation.

🏃

After Exercise

My muscles feel tired.

🌙

Late at Night

I'm starting to feel tired, goodnight!

🤒

When Sick

I have a cold and I feel tired.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

They are very close. Sleepy means you are ready to fall asleep right now, while tired means you just have no energy.

Yes, it is neutral enough for work. Just ensure you aren't saying it to avoid doing your job!

There is almost no difference. I feel tired emphasizes the physical sensation you are experiencing at the moment.

You can say I feel exhausted or I am completely worn out for a stronger effect.

Yes, it is perfectly fine for emails and stories. In very formal scientific writing, you might use fatigued instead.

No, that is a mistake. Tiring describes the activity (e.g., The walk was tiring), while tired describes your feeling.

It means you are frustrated or bored with something, like I am tired of this rain.

Not at all. It is a very normal way to explain why you are leaving early.

They use tired too, but they also use knackered or shattered in very informal situations.

Yes! You can say My brain feels tired after studying for a long time.

Expressions liées

Exhausted

Very, very tired; having no energy left.

Worn out

Tired after a lot of work or use.

Sleepy

Feeling like you need to sleep soon.

Burned out

Tired and stressed from working too hard for a long time.

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