Tsukare

Tsukare (疲れ, つかれ) is a Japanese noun meaning fatigue or tiredness, typically referring to a state of weariness after physical exertion or mental effort. It is the noun form derived from the verb 疲れる (つかれる).

Etymology and related terms: The kanji 疲 conveys weariness, and tsukare is commonly used in everyday language. Related terms include 疲労 (ひろう), a more formal or medical word for fatigue or exhaustion; 疲労感 (ひろうかん), the feeling of fatigue; 疲れ目 (つかれめ), eye strain; and phrases like 疲れ切る (つかれきる), meaning to be utterly exhausted. Other intensifiers include 疲労困憊 (ひろうこんぱい).

Usage: Tsukare is widely used in spoken and written Japanese. Typical expressions include 今日はいくらか疲れた (Today I’m a bit tired), 体が疲れている (My body is tired), and 疲れを癒す or 疲れをとる (to relieve or recover from fatigue). In more technical contexts, 疲労 is preferred, such as in medical or sports science writing.

Cultural context: Fatigue is a common theme in Japanese daily life and discourse, influenced by factors such as long work hours, commuting, and strenuous activities. While tsukare denotes a general sense of tiredness, more specialized terms may be used when describing prolonged or severe fatigue, health impacts, or recovery strategies.