A2 verb Informal #501 most common

human

/ˈhjuːmən/

To act like a normal person or to function properly in daily life. It is often used humorously when someone feels too tired, stressed, or unmotivated to deal with social or work tasks.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I need a big cup of coffee before I can human today.

I need a big cup of coffee before I can function today.

2

The candidate must demonstrate an ability to human effectively in high-pressure environments.

The candidate must show they can act professionally in high-pressure environments.

3

I'm so tired, I just can't human right now.

I'm so tired, I just can't deal with people right now.

Word Family

Noun
human
Verb
human
Adverb
humanly
Adjective
human
Related
humanity
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a robot that is out of battery; it cannot 'human' until it is charged with coffee.

Quick Quiz

I stayed up all night studying, and now I'm too exhausted to ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: human

Examples

1

I need a big cup of coffee before I can human today.

everyday

I need a big cup of coffee before I can function today.

2

The candidate must demonstrate an ability to human effectively in high-pressure environments.

formal

The candidate must show they can act professionally in high-pressure environments.

3

I'm so tired, I just can't human right now.

informal

I'm so tired, I just can't deal with people right now.

4

Some theories explore the psychological drive to human in isolation.

academic

Some theories explore the psychological drive to act like a person in isolation.

5

We need to make sure our team is ready to human before the client meeting.

business

We need to make sure our team is ready to interact professionally before the client meeting.

Word Family

Noun
human
Verb
human
Adverb
humanly
Adjective
human
Related
humanity

Common Collocations

too tired to human too tired to function properly
learn how to human learn how to act like a person
ready to human ready to interact with others
can't human today cannot function or deal with tasks today
forget how to human forget how to behave normally

Common Phrases

I can't even human

I am too overwhelmed to do anything

How to human

A guide on how to behave in society

Hard to human

Difficult to function normally

Often Confused With

human vs humanize

'Humanize' means to make something more friendly or kind; 'human' as a verb is slang for simply functioning.

human vs humane

'Humane' is an adjective meaning showing compassion; it is not a verb.

📝

Usage Notes

This is modern internet slang. It is used almost exclusively in casual conversations or social media to show that you are overwhelmed or tired.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Do not use this in formal essays or professional emails, as it is not considered standard English grammar.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a robot that is out of battery; it cannot 'human' until it is charged with coffee.

📖

Word Origin

Created by turning the noun 'human' into a verb, a common trend in 21st-century internet culture.

Grammar Patterns

Used mostly in the infinitive form 'to human' Commonly follows the verbs 'can' or 'cannot' Rarely used in the past tense
🌍

Cultural Context

This reflects the 'burnout' culture of young adults who find daily life tasks (adulting) difficult.

Quick Quiz

I stayed up all night studying, and now I'm too exhausted to ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: human

Related Phrases

Related Words

circummintude

C1

Describing a quality or approach that is all-encompassing yet expressed indirectly or through its peripheral elements. It suggests a comprehensive state of being that surrounds a central point without addressing it explicitly.

synmultery

C1

To synchronize and manage multiple diverse streams of information or tasks into a single coherent operation. It is often used in high-level technical or organizational environments to describe the seamless integration and simultaneous execution of parallel processes.

hypertendism

C1

To subject a system, social structure, or individual to chronic and excessive stress or tension until it reaches a state of instability. It involves the active process of pushing limits to the point of structural or psychological fatigue.

prelaudhood

C1

Describing the period, state, or quality of existence before an individual or entity has received public acclaim or significant praise. It specifically refers to the formative and often obscure years prior to achieving widespread recognition.

bisonence

C1

Describing a sound, resonance, or vibration that possesses two distinct tonal qualities or frequencies occurring simultaneously. It is most frequently used in specialized acoustic analysis and advanced music theory to describe complex auditory phenomena.

homoprimious

C1

Describing something that shares the same primary origin or occupies the same initial position within a sequence across different systems or groups. It is typically used in specialized academic contexts to denote foundational elements that are uniform in their starting state.

intramodant

C1

Relating to or occurring strictly within a single mode, channel, or system of operation without crossing over into others. It is often used in technical or academic contexts to describe data processing or sensory input that is contained within one specific modality.

anpacancy

C1

A state of chronic or unresolved vacancy in a physical or digital space, typically resulting from systemic failure, legal deadlocks, or economic stagnation. Unlike a standard vacancy, it implies a prolonged period during which a functional space remains unoccupied despite its potential utility.

bijudary

C1

Bijudary refers to a collective assortment of jewelry, trinkets, or small personal ornaments, often characterized by intricate or delicate craftsmanship. It can also describe the trade of a jeweler or the specific location where such finery is sold.

comcitful

C1

To actively foster or manifest communal spirit and civic responsibility through collaborative action. It describes the process of integrating oneself into a community by fulfilling social duties and promoting harmony.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free