Japanese word

消耗

Pronunciation

Romajishōmō

Meaning

  • nounexhaustion

Example

長時間の運動は体力の消耗につながります。chō ji kan no un dō wa tai ryoku no shō mō ni tsu na ga ri ma su

Long workouts lead to exhaustion.

Illustration for 消耗 (exhaustion)

More examples

この機能は電池の消耗を抑えます。ko no ki nō wa den chi no shō mō o osa e ma su

This function reduces battery drain.

Core concept

Describes something being gradually used up or worn down, leaving less energy, supply, or usefulness available.

Common phrases

  • 体力の消耗tai ryoku no shō mō

    physical exhaustion

  • 消耗が激しいshō mō ga hage shi i

    severe exhaustion

  • 消耗を抑えるshō mō o osa e ru

    reduce exhaustion

Similar words

疲労hirō: A state of reduced physical or mental energy caused by sustained effort.
疲弊hihei: A state of severe weakening caused by prolonged strain or overuse.
損耗sonmō: The loss or wearing away of material, equipment, or resources through use.
枯渇kokatsu: The complete or near-complete loss of an available supply or resource.

Definition in Japanese

使い続けることで、体力・資源・物品などが減ったり傷んだりすること。tsuka i tsuzu ke ru ko to de tai ryoku shi gen bup pin na do ga he tta ri ita n da ri su ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 消耗 (shōmō) combines 消 (shō, "erase") and 耗 (mō, "decrease"), expressing reduction through use.

Usage tips

  • Japanese often uses 消耗 (shōmō) for the slow loss caused by sustained effort, so it fits a long negotiation or demanding project better than a single brief action.

Other meanings

  • depletionnoun
  • wearnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 消耗するshōmōsuruwear outverb
  • 消耗品shōmōhinconsumablenoun
  • 消耗度shōmōdodegree of wearnoun

Word lists with this word