精疲力竭

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: jīng pí lì jié
• English Translation: Exhausted, completely worn out, utterly drained of energy
• Idiom Composition: 「精」（Spirit, energy）＋「疲」（Tired, fatigued）＋「力」（Strength, power）＋「竭」（Exhausted, depleted）
• Meaning: Describes a state of being completely exhausted both mentally and physically, with no strength left. It refers to an extreme level of fatigue, implying that one can no longer do anything further.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「精疲力竭」 contains the following nuances:

• Extreme fatigue: Indicates not just ordinary tiredness but an extreme level of fatigue beyond one's limits.
• Depletion of mental and physical strength: Shows that both physical tiredness and mental exhaustion are involved.
• Inability to function: Means a state where one is unable to do anything or move due to exhaustion.
• Reaching one's limit: Suggests having reached one's limit after prolonged effort or difficult circumstances.

3. Usage

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

• Describing fatigue: Used to describe people or animals who are extremely tired.
  • Example:「经过连续几天的加班，他终于精疲力竭地倒在了床上。」
    （After several days of continuous overtime, he finally collapsed exhausted onto the bed.）
• Result of effort: Describes a state of exhaustion after long hours of effort or hardship.
  • Example:「马拉松比赛结束后，运动员们都显得精疲力竭。」
    （After the marathon, the athletes all appeared completely worn out.）
• Difficult situations: Describes a state of mental and physical exhaustion when facing difficult situations or challenges.
  • Example:「面对堆积如山的工作，他终于感到精疲力竭，决定暂时放下工作，好好休息一下。」
    （Facing a mountain of work, he finally felt utterly exhausted and decided to set aside his tasks for a while to rest properly.）

Additional Examples:

1. 连续工作了十几个小时，她感到精疲力竭，连说话的力气都没有了。
   （After working continuously for over ten hours, she was completely exhausted and had no strength left even to speak.）
2. 经过长途跋涉，旅行者们一个个都精疲力竭，急需休息。
   （After a long trek, the travelers were all worn out and in urgent need of rest.）
3. 为了完成这个项目，他已经连续熬夜好几天了，现在已经精疲力竭。
   （To complete this project, he has been staying up late for several days and is now utterly exhausted.）
4. 经过一番激烈的搏斗，两只老虎都精疲力竭地趴在了地上。
   （After a fierce fight, both tigers lay on the ground completely exhausted.）
5. 救援人员在灾区连续奋战了三天三夜，个个都精疲力竭。
   （The rescue workers fought continuously for three days and nights in the disaster area, and each was exhausted.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• '精疲力竭' is a widely used expression that describes a universal human state of exhaustion without specific cultural connotations.
• Metaphorically, it can also describe a state where mental fatigue or motivation for an activity is completely depleted.
• There are similar expressions such as '筋疲力尽' and '疲惫不堪', but '精疲力竭' differs by emphasizing mental exhaustion as well.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 筋疲力尽 (jīn pí lì jìn): Muscles and strength are exhausted; emphasizes physical fatigue.
  • 力尽筋疲 (lì jìn jīn pí): Strength and muscles are exhausted; meaning is almost the same as '筋疲力尽'.
  • 疲惫不堪 (pí bèi bù kān): Exhausted to the point of being unable to bear it; emphasizes severe fatigue.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 精力充沛 (jīng lì chōng pèi): Full of energy and vitality.
  • 精神抖擞 (jīng shén dǒu sǒu): Mentally invigorated and spirited.

6. Summary

'精疲力竭' is a highly expressive idiom that describes an extreme state of exhaustion both mentally and physically. It conveys a level of fatigue beyond what the simple word 'tired' can express. Using this idiom adds depth to writing or speech, allowing readers or listeners to vividly imagine the situation.