κουράζομαι
Lemma: κουράζομαι
Translation: to get tired; to become exhausted; to tire oneself; to wear oneself out (verb)
Etymology: From the ancient Greek κουρά (koura) meaning 'shearing' or 'cutting', related to κείρω (to cut, shear). The connection to tiredness comes from the exhausting nature of physical labor like sheep shearing. This root is also found in words like κουρέας (barber) and relates to the English word 'shear'. The reflexive form -ομαι indicates the action happens to oneself, making this distinctly about becoming tired rather than tiring others.
Example Usage
Κουράζομαι πολύ στη δουλειά μου.
I get very tired at my job.
Κουράστηκα να περιμένω.
I'm tired of waiting.
Μην κουράζεσαι άδικα.
Don't tire yourself unnecessarily.
Είμαι πολύ κουρασμένος σήμερα.
I am very tired today.
Κουράστηκα από το περπάτημα.
I got tired from walking.
Είμαι κουρασμένος και θέλω να κοιμηθώ.
I am tired and want to sleep.
Κουράζομαι πολύ στη δουλειά.
I get very tired at work.
Μην κουράζεσαι τόσο πολύ!
Don't tire yourself out so much!
Κουράστηκα από το τρέξιμο.
I got tired from running.
Mnemonics
- Think 'courier' - a courier gets tired from delivering packages all day
- Remember 'courage' - when you're tired, you need courage to keep going
Synonyms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Very commonly used in everyday Greek conversation to express physical or mental fatigue. Often used in workplace contexts, after exercise, or when discussing daily activities. Greeks frequently use this verb to express empathy when someone looks tired.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: κουράζω is the active form meaning 'to tire someone else', while κουράζομαι is reflexive meaning 'to get tired oneself'
This word:
Κουράζομαι εύκολα.
I get tired easily.
Confused word:
Η δουλειά με κουράζει.
Work tires me out.
Notes: This is a classic active vs. middle voice distinction that's crucial in Greek
Mnemonic: κουράζομαι has -ομαι ending = 'I do to myself', κουράζω = 'I do to others'