精疲力竭

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jīng pí lì jié
• English Translation: Exhausted (physically and mentally drained)
• Idiom Composition: 「精」（Spirit, essence, or mental energy）＋「疲」（Tired or fatigued）＋「力」（Physical strength or power）＋「竭」（Exhausted, depleted, or to run dry）
• Meaning: A state of extreme fatigue where both mental energy and physical strength are completely used up. It describes being so worn out that one has no energy left to move or continue.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「精疲力竭」 contains the following nuances:

• Holistic Depletion: The idiom emphasizes that both 精 (jīng), representing the spirit or mind, and 力 (lì), representing physical strength, are gone. It is equally applicable to burnout from mental stress as it is to physical labor.
• Reaching the Absolute Limit: The character 竭 (jié) literally means to run dry or be completely depleted. This suggests a state where there are no reserves left, rather than just feeling 'tired'.

3. Usage

「精疲力竭」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Intense physical labor or exercise: The most common usage, describing the immediate state after giving one's all in sports, long work hours, or a difficult physical task.
  • Example:「跑完马拉松全程后，他精疲力竭地躺在草地上。」
    （After finishing the marathon, he lay on the grass, completely exhausted.）
• Long-term struggle or mental strain: Used to describe being worn down by the accumulation of stress or hardship over a long period rather than a single event.
  • Example:「为了照顾生病的家人，这几个月来她已经精疲力竭。」
    （She has been physically and mentally drained over the past few months from taking care of her sick family member.）

Additional Examples:

1. 连续加了一周的班，大家都感到精疲力竭。
   （After working overtime for a week straight, everyone feels worn out.）
2. 在那场激烈的辩论之后，双方都精疲力竭，无法再继续争论。
   （After that intense debate, both sides were exhausted and could no longer continue the argument.）
3. 虽然精疲力竭，但他还是坚持完成了任务。
   （Although he was utterly spent, he still persevered and completed the task.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Variations in Writing: In addition to 精疲力竭 (jīng pí lì jié), you will frequently see 精疲力尽 (jīng pí lì jìn) or 筋疲力尽 (jīn pí lì jìn). While 筋 (jīn) refers to muscles/tendons and 精 (jīng) refers to spirit, they are used as synonyms in modern Chinese to mean 'exhausted.'
• Usage Frequency: This is a very common expression used across all levels of Chinese, from casual daily conversation to formal literature.
• Nuance: Unlike some hyperbolic slang, this idiom is an objective and serious way to convey a profound state of fatigue.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 疲惫不堪 (pí bèi bù kān): To be extremely tired to the point of being unable to bear it.link
  • 心力交瘁 (xīn lì jiāo cuì): To be worn out in both heart and body; often carries a more severe or chronic nuance.
  • 筋疲力尽 (jīn pí lì jìn): To be completely exhausted and have no strength left.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 精力充沛 (jīng lì chōng pèi): To be full of energy and vigor.
  • 精神抖擞 (jīng shén dǒu sǒu): To be full of spirit and high energy.
  • 朝气蓬勃 (zhāo qì péng bó): Full of youthful vigor and vitality.link
  • 容光焕发 (róng guāng huàn fā): To be radiant and glowing with health and happiness.link

6. Summary

精疲力竭 (jīng pí lì jié) is a common idiom used to describe being completely spent, both mentally and physically. It is appropriate for describing extreme exhaustion resulting from work, intense exercise, or long-term stress. It is often used interchangeably with variations like 精疲力尽 (jīng pí lì jìn) or 筋疲力尽 (jīn pí lì jìn).