# 尽くす: to use up (completely without anything remaining); to exhaust; to run out of ~

> Learn how to use 尽くす, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning to use up completely, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-tsukusu/

**<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** means **to use up (completely without anything remaining); to exhaust; to run out of ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something is consumed in its entirety, leaving nothing left.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to express that something is consumed in its entirety, leaving nothing left, **<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

<div class="pullquote">
  <span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くす</span> carries the weight of totality—every last bit, every drop, every grain. It doesn’t just “finish”; it drains the source.
</div>

## What does <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> mean?

Use **<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** when you want to express that something is consumed in its entirety, leaving nothing left.

Natural translations include:
- to use up (completely without anything remaining); to exhaust; to run out of ~

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer's or speaker's purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

## How to form <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<strong>Verb (stem form) + <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong>

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem"><ruby>使<rp>(</rp><rt>し</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つか</rt>い</span>
  <span class="fplus">＋</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core"><ruby>尽<rp>(</rp><rt>じん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つ</rt>くす</span>
  <span class="farrow">→</span>
  <span class="ftoken"><ruby>使<rp>(</rp><rt>し</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つか</rt>い<ruby>尽<rp>(</rp><rt>じん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つ</rt>くす</span>
</div>

<div class="formula">
  V-stem + <ruby>尽<rp>(</rp><rt>じん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つ</rt>くす
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- <ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> — eat up everything
- <ruby>使<rp>(</rp><rt>し</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つか</rt>い<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> — use up completely
- <ruby>知<rp>(</rp><rt>ち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>し</rt>り<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> — know everything about (exhaustively)
- <ruby>燃<rp>(</rp><rt>ねん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>も</rt>え<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> — burn down completely

<strong>Noun + を + <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong> is also possible (e.g., <ruby>力<rp>(</rp><rt>ちから</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>ちから</rt>を<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> — exert all one's strength), but the grammar point primarily tests the compound verb form.

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong form of the verb.

## When is <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> used?

Use **<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** in situations like:
- exhausting physical resources (money, fuel, energy)
- consuming something to the last bit
- describing thorough knowledge or exploration
- expressing that a potential or stock is entirely depleted

Tone and register:
- neutral to slightly formal; common in written descriptions and narrative
- Common in test questions, essays, novels, and JLPT N1 reading comprehension

## <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <span class="furi">彼<rt>かれ</rt></span>は<span class="furi">貯金<rt>ちょきん</rt></span>を<span class="furi">全<rt>すべ</rt>て</span><span class="furi">使<rt>つか</rt></span>い<span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くした</span>。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">He used up all his savings completely.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">depletion</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <span class="furi">燃料<rt>ねんりょう</rt></span>が<span class="furi">使<rt>つか</rt></span>い<span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くされていた</span>。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">The fuel had been used up entirely.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">resource exhausted</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <span class="furi">子供<rt>こども</rt></span>たちがお<span class="furi">菓子<rt>かし</rt></span>を<span class="furi">食<rt>た</rt></span>べ<span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くした</span>。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">The children ate up every last snack.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">consumption</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <span class="furi">彼女<rt>かのじょ</rt></span>はこの<span class="furi">街<rt>まち</rt></span>の<span class="furi">歴史<rt>れきし</rt></span>を<span class="furi">知<rt>し</rt></span>り<span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くしている</span>。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">She knows the history of this town inside out.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">knowledge</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <span class="furi">体<rt>からだ</rt></span>の<span class="furi">力<rt>ちから</rt></span>を<span class="furi">使<rt>つか</rt></span>い<span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くして</span><span class="furi">倒<rt>たお</rt></span>れた。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">He collapsed after using up every ounce of his strength.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">physical</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <span class="furi">森<rt>もり</rt></span>の<span class="furi">木<rt>き</rt></span>が<span class="furi">切<rt>き</rt></span>り<span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くされた</span>。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">The trees of the forest were completely felled.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">exhaustion of resource</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what job **<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** is doing: something is consumed in its entirety, leaving nothing left. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

## Nuance of <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

The key nuance is **complete, thorough exhaustion—nothing remains**.

This matters because learners often translate advanced grammar too literally. A pattern may look simple, but it can signal the writer's attitude, the scope of a rule, or the relationship between two ideas.

For example:
- In context, it carries a heavy sense of finality. "<ruby>使い<rp>(</rp><rt>つかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>尽くし<rp>(</rp><rt>つくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た" implies the resource is gone and cannot be recovered.
- Compared with <span class="furi">切<rt>き</rt>る</span>, <span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くす</span> focuses on the object being consumed, not just the action's completion.

## <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> vs <ruby>切る<rp>(</rp><rt>きる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

Both **<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** and **<span class="furi">切<rt>き</rt>る</span>** can express completing an action thoroughly, but they are different.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp a">
    <div class="cmp-head"><ruby>尽<rp>(</rp><rt>じん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つ</rt>くす</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">object is used up entirely, nothing left</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">when the focus is on the resource, material, or target being depleted to zero</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><span class="furi">水<rt>みず</rt></span>を<strong><ruby>使<rp>(</rp><rt>し</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つか</rt>い<ruby>尽<rp>(</rp><rt>じん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つ</rt>くした</strong></div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">used up all the water (the reservoir is empty)</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">VS</div>
  <div class="cmp b">
    <div class="cmp-head"><span class="furi">切<rt>き</rt>る</span></div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">action is done completely, to the end</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">when the focus is on the action being carried out without interruption or to its logical end, not necessarily the object’s depletion</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><span class="furi">水<rt>みず</rt></span>を<strong><ruby>飲<rp>(</rp><rt>いん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>の</rt>み<span class="furi">切<rt>き</rt>った</span></strong></div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">drank all the water (finished the glass, though the bottle may still have more)</div>
  </div>
</div>

Quick contrast examples:
- お<ruby>金<rp>(</rp><rt>かね</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>使い<rp>(</rp><rt>つかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>尽くし<rp>(</rp><rt>つくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た — used up every last bit of money (bank account zero)
- お<ruby>金<rp>(</rp><rt>かね</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>使い<rp>(</rp><rt>つかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>きっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た — spent all the money that was allocated (the budget is finished, but there could be other funds)

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence about the resource itself, or about the completion of an action? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

## Common mistakes with <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><span class="furi">全<rt>すべ</rt>て</span>の<span class="furi">食<rt>た</rt></span>べ<span class="furi">物<rt>もの</rt></span>が<span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くした</span>。</div>
    </div>
    <div class="note">Intransitive <ruby>尽<rp>(</rp><rt>じん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>つ</rt>きる is needed here, not transitive <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>. <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> requires a direct object (or is attached to a verb stem).</div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><span class="furi">全<rt>すべ</rt>て</span>の<span class="furi">食<rt>た</rt></span>べ<span class="furi">物<rt>もの</rt></span>が<span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>きた</span>。</div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><span class="furi">彼<rt>かれ</rt></span>は<span class="furi">小説<rt>しょうせつ</rt></span>を<span class="furi">読<rt>よ</rt></span>み<span class="furi">尽<rt>つ</rt>くした</span>（つもりで<span class="furi">書<rt>か</rt></span>いた）。</div>
    </div>
    <div class="note"><ruby>読<rp>(</rp><rt>よみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>よ</rt>み<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> would mean reading every single copy of the novel, not finishing the book itself. Use <ruby>読み<rp>(</rp><rt>よみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>切る<rp>(</rp><rt>きる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> for “finished reading.”</div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><span class="furi">彼<rt>かれ</rt></span>は<span class="furi">小説<rt>しょうせつ</rt></span>を<span class="furi">読<rt>よ</rt></span>み<span class="furi">切<rt>き</rt>った</span>。</div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with <strong><ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong>, then rewrite it with <strong><ruby>切る<rp>(</rp><rt>きる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong>. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

## Is <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <p>Yes. <strong><ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong> is a core <strong>JLPT N1</strong> grammar point.</p>
    <div class="jlpt-checks">
      <span>✔  appear in reading comprehension</span>
      <span>✔  test understanding of nuance vs <ruby>切る<rp>(</rp><rt>きる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></span>
      <span>✔  often combined with vocabulary in text</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

## Practice questions for <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">1</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Describe a time when you used up all of a resource (money, time, data) – use <ruby>使い<rp>(</rp><rt>つかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>尽くし<rp>(</rp><rt>つくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た or <ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>尽くし<rp>(</rp><rt>つくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た in a sentence.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">production</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">2</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Replace the verb in a sentence like 「<ruby>本<rp>(</rp><rt>ほん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>読み<rp>(</rp><rt>よみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>終え<rp>(</rp><rt>おえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た」 with either <ruby>読み<rp>(</rp><rt>よみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>きっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た or <ruby>読み<rp>(</rp><rt>よみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>尽くし<rp>(</rp><rt>つくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た, and explain the difference.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">comparison</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">3</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Write a sentence where <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> carries a nuance of thorough knowledge, e.g., <ruby>知り<rp>(</rp><rt>しり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>尽くし<rp>(</rp><rt>つくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ている or <ruby>調べ<rp>(</rp><rt>しらべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>尽くし<rp>(</rp><rt>つくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">nuance</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">4</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Correct this sentence: 「ガソリンが<ruby>使い<rp>(</rp><rt>つかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>尽くし<rp>(</rp><rt>つくし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。」 (Hint: transitivity).</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">error correction</span>
  </div>
</div>

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

## Learning path for <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <div class="step-body">First, make sure you can attach <strong><ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong> to the masu-stem of common verbs: <ruby>使う<rp>(</rp><rt>つかう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>→<ruby>使い<rp>(</rp><rt>つかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>、<ruby>食べる<rp>(</rp><rt>たべる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>→<ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>、etc.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <div class="step-body">Next, compare it with <strong><span class="furi">切<rt>き</rt>る</span></strong> using the table above. Write two sentences that differ only in the compound verb, and discuss with a study partner.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <div class="step-body">Read a news article or a short story; search for <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> or compounds containing it. Underline the object being exhausted.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">4</span>
    <div class="step-body">Finally, produce original sentences where <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> is the best choice over <ruby>切る<rp>(</rp><rt>きる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [ってば・ったら](/blog/n1-tteba-ttara/) — because it also adds emotional weight and emphasis, though here it’s about insistence rather than depletion
- [つつ](/blog/n1-tsu-tsu/) — because it pairs two concurrent actions, contrasting with the finality of <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>
- [うちに<ruby>入ら<rp>(</rp><rt>はいら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない](/blog/n1-uchi-ni-hairanai/) — because it draws a line about what counts, like <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> draws a line at zero
- [とは<ruby>打っ<rp>(</rp><rt>うっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>変わっ<rp>(</rp><rt>かわっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て](/blog/n1-towa-utte-kawatte-to-wa-utte-kawari/) — because it marks a sharp contrast, just as <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> marks a sharp end to a resource

## Learn <ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> with Hane

If you want to review **<ruby>尽くす<rp>(</rp><rt>つくす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)