Meaning and Usage
"尽きる" (つきる) means "to be used up" or "to run out." It is often used to describe resources like money, patience, or energy being completely exhausted.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear "尽きる" in situations involving running out of funds, time, or emotional reserves. It can also be used figuratively, such as when a conversation or topic "never ends" (話が尽きない).
Collocations and Patterns
- 資金が尽きる: funds run out
- 忍耐力が尽きる: patience runs out
- 話が尽きない: conversation never ends
Nuances
"尽きる" often implies a complete or final exhaustion of something. It is a formal verb and common in written and spoken Japanese at a neutral or polite level.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "尽きる" with "尽くす" (to do one's best or to devote oneself). Remember "尽きる" focuses on something being used up or ending, not on effort.