Learning how to say "he is tired" in Spanish involves more than just a direct translation. It's about understanding the nuances of the language and the various ways tiredness can be expressed. Whether you're talking about a friend, a character in a story, or even yourself, having a grasp of these expressions will enrich your Spanish vocabulary and make your conversations more natural.

Common Ways to Say "He is Tired" in Spanish

When diving into how to express that someone is feeling weary in Spanish, the most straightforward translation often comes to mind first. However, Spanish, like any vibrant language, offers a variety of ways to convey the same sentiment, each with its own subtle shade of meaning. Understanding these nuances allows you to communicate more effectively and connect more deeply with native speakers. So, let's explore some common and useful ways to say "he is tired" in Spanish.

1. Él está cansado

This is the most direct and literal translation of "he is tired." Cansado is the masculine form of the adjective meaning tired, and está is the third-person singular form of the verb estar, which is used for temporary states or conditions. If you want to say "she is tired," you would say Ella está cansada, using the feminine form of the adjective.

This expression is suitable for most situations and is easily understood. For example, you might say, "Él está cansado después del trabajo" (He is tired after work) or "Él está cansado porque no durmió bien" (He is tired because he didn't sleep well). The simplicity of this phrase makes it a great starting point for anyone learning Spanish, as it's both easy to remember and widely applicable. Whether you're describing someone who's been working hard, traveling, or simply had a long day, Él está cansado gets the message across clearly and concisely. It's a fundamental phrase that you'll likely use often when talking about how people are feeling, making it an essential part of your Spanish vocabulary.

2. Tiene sueño

While cansado refers to being physically or mentally tired, tener sueño translates to "he is sleepy" or "he has sleepiness." Sueño means sleep or sleepiness, and tiene is the third-person singular form of the verb tener (to have). This phrase is used when someone is feeling drowsy and in need of sleep. For instance, "Él tiene sueño después de ver la película" (He is sleepy after watching the movie). Tener sueño specifically points to the desire or need for sleep, rather than general fatigue from exertion or stress. Think of it as the feeling you get right before you're about to doze off. This expression is particularly useful when you want to convey that someone is not just tired, but specifically feels like they need to sleep. It’s a subtle but important distinction that can help you more accurately describe someone's state of being. So, if you see your friend yawning and rubbing his eyes, Tiene sueño is the perfect way to capture his condition in Spanish.

3. Está agotado

Agotado means exhausted or drained. It's a stronger way to express tiredness than cansado. Agotado implies a state of extreme weariness, often resulting from significant physical or mental exertion. If you want to emphasize that someone is not just a little tired but completely worn out, agotado is the word to use. For instance, you might say, "Él está agotado después de correr la maratón" (He is exhausted after running the marathon). This term conveys a sense of being completely depleted of energy, making it ideal for describing situations where someone has pushed themselves to their limits. Whether it's after a long day of manual labor, a stressful project at work, or any other demanding activity, agotado effectively communicates the depth of someone's fatigue. It's a powerful word that adds impact to your description, helping others understand the intensity of the person's tiredness. So, next time you want to express that someone is beyond just tired, reach for agotado to paint a more vivid picture.

Other Ways to Express Tiredness

Beyond the common phrases, Spanish offers a variety of other expressions to describe different levels and types of tiredness. These phrases can add color and depth to your conversations, allowing you to express yourself more precisely and connect with native speakers on a deeper level. Let's explore some of these alternative ways to convey the feeling of fatigue in Spanish.

1. Está hecho polvo

This is an idiomatic expression that literally translates to "he is made dust." However, it means "he is beat" or "he is worn out." This phrase is used to describe someone who is extremely tired, often after a strenuous activity. It's a more colorful and emphatic way to say someone is exhausted. For example, "Después de la mudanza, él está hecho polvo" (After the move, he is beat). This expression is quite common in everyday conversation and adds a touch of flair to your language. It conveys a sense of utter exhaustion, as if the person has been reduced to nothing but dust. The vivid imagery makes it a memorable and effective way to communicate extreme tiredness. So, when you want to emphasize just how tired someone is, está hecho polvo is a great choice. It’s particularly useful in informal settings and can add a bit of humor or exaggeration to your speech, making it more engaging and relatable.

2. No puede más

This phrase translates to "he can't anymore" or "he can't take it anymore." It implies that someone is not only tired but also at their limit, either physically or mentally. This is a versatile expression that can be used in a variety of contexts, from describing someone who has been working too hard to someone who is emotionally drained. For example, "Él no puede más con tanto trabajo" (He can't take it anymore with so much work). This phrase captures the feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to continue, making it a powerful way to express the depth of someone's exhaustion. It goes beyond simple tiredness, suggesting a breaking point where the person feels they can't handle any more stress or exertion. Whether it's due to physical labor, emotional strain, or mental fatigue, no puede más effectively communicates the sense of being at the end of one's rope. It’s a poignant expression that resonates with anyone who has ever felt completely overwhelmed, making it a valuable addition to your Spanish vocabulary.

3. Está reventado

Reventado is another strong word to describe being exhausted. It's similar to agotado but can also imply being stressed or overworked. The literal translation is "burst" or "exploded," which gives you an idea of the intensity of the feeling. For example, "Él está reventado por los exámenes" (He is exhausted from the exams). This term is particularly useful when describing someone who has been under a lot of pressure and has reached their breaking point. It conveys a sense of being completely drained, both physically and emotionally, as if the person has been pushed to their absolute limit. Está reventado is a more informal expression, often used among friends and family, and adds a touch of drama to your language. It’s a vivid and memorable way to communicate extreme tiredness, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary for those moments when you want to really emphasize how worn out someone is.

Tips for Using These Expressions

Now that you know several ways to say "he is tired" in Spanish, here are some tips to help you use these expressions correctly and effectively:

• Consider the context: Choose the expression that best fits the situation. Is he just a little tired (cansado), sleepy (tiene sueño), or completely exhausted (agotado, hecho polvo, reventado)?
• Use the correct verb: Remember to use estar for temporary states like cansado and agotado, and tener for expressions like tener sueño.
• Pay attention to gender: Adjectives like cansado and agotado need to agree in gender with the subject. For a female, use cansada and agotada.
• Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how native speakers use these expressions in conversation. This will help you get a better feel for their nuances and when to use them.
• Practice: The best way to learn these expressions is to use them. Try incorporating them into your conversations and writing.

Examples in Context

To further illustrate how these expressions are used, here are some examples in context:

• "Él está cansado después de un largo día de trabajo, pero todavía tiene que ir al gimnasio." (He is tired after a long day of work, but he still has to go to the gym.)
• "Él tiene mucho sueño porque se quedó despierto hasta tarde viendo la televisión." (He is very sleepy because he stayed up late watching television.)
• "Él está agotado después de correr el maratón. Necesita descansar." (He is exhausted after running the marathon. He needs to rest.)
• "Después de trabajar en el jardín todo el día, él está hecho polvo." (After working in the garden all day, he is beat.)
• "Él no puede más con este proyecto. Necesita unas vacaciones." (He can't take it anymore with this project. He needs a vacation.)
• "Él está reventado por estudiar para los exámenes finales." (He is exhausted from studying for the final exams.)

Conclusion

Learning how to say "he is tired" in Spanish involves understanding a range of expressions that convey different levels and types of tiredness. From the basic él está cansado to more emphatic phrases like está hecho polvo and está reventado, each expression adds a unique shade of meaning to your conversations. By considering the context, using the correct verb, and paying attention to gender agreement, you can effectively communicate how someone is feeling in Spanish. So, go ahead and practice these expressions and enrich your Spanish vocabulary!