Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Exhausted; completely spent of strength: Describes a state where one's physical or mental energy is completely depleted, often from prolonged effort or strain.
   • To the point of exhaustion: Used to indicate an action performed until one has no strength left.

2. Adverb (in the phrase "làm việc kiệt lực"):

   • To exhaustion: Modifies a verb to describe performing an action until one is completely drained of energy.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Sau cuộc leo núi dài, anh ấy cảm thấy hoàn toàn kiệt lực. (After the long climb, he felt completely exhausted.)
  • Các bác sĩ đã làm việc trong tình trạng kiệt lực. (The doctors worked in a state of exhaustion.)

• Adverb:

  • Cô ấy làm việc kiệt lực để hoàn thành dự án đúng hạn. (She worked herself to exhaustion to finish the project on time.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often describes a severe, debilitating level of fatigue beyond simple tiredness, implying a temporary incapacity to continue.
• It can be used metaphorically for resources (e.g., financial, emotional) being completely drained, though this is less common.

Variants and Related Words

• Kiệt sức (adj): A near-synonym meaning exhausted, worn out. The terms are often used interchangeably.

  • Anh ta kiệt sức sau chuyến đi dài. (He was worn out after the long trip.)

• Cạn kiệt (v/adj): To be depleted or exhausted, often used for resources rather than personal strength.

  • Nguồn nước đã cạn kiệt. (The water source has been depleted.)

Synonyms

• Exhausted: Drained of strength or energy.
• Spent: Used up; having no energy left.
• Drained: Emptied of energy or resources.
• Prostrated: Laid low; overcome with exhaustion.

Related Idioms

• Làm việc đến kiệt sức / kiệt lực: To work until one drops; to work oneself to the bone.
  • Ông ấy đã làm việc đến kiệt sức vì gia đình. (He worked himself to the bone for his family.)

1. To exhaustion
   • Làm việc kiệt lực
     To work oneself to exhaustion