尽くす 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, 尽くす is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.
What does 尽くす mean?
Use 尽くす 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 ~
How to form 尽くす
Verb (stem form) + 尽くす
Examples of the pattern:
- 食べ尽くす — eat up everything
- 使い尽くす — use up completely
- 知り尽くす — know everything about (exhaustively)
- 燃え尽くす — burn down completely
Noun + を + 尽くす is also possible (e.g., 力を尽くす — exert all one’s strength), but the grammar point primarily tests the compound verb form.
In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong form of the verb.
When is 尽くす used?
Use 尽くす 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
尽くす example sentences
After reading each sentence, ask what job 尽くす is doing: something is consumed in its entirety, leaving nothing left.
Nuance of 尽くす
The key nuance is complete, thorough exhaustion—nothing remains.
For example:
- In context, it carries a heavy sense of finality. “使い尽くした” implies the resource is gone and cannot be recovered.
- Compared with 切る, 尽くす focuses on the object being consumed, not just the action’s completion.
尽くす vs 切る
Both 尽くす and 切る can express completing an action thoroughly, but they are different.
Quick contrast examples:
- お金を使い尽くした — used up every last bit of money (bank account zero)
- お金を使い切った — spent all the money that was allocated (the budget is finished, but there could be other funds)
Is the sentence about the resource itself, or about the completion of an action?
Common mistakes with 尽くす
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with 尽くす, then rewrite it with 切る.
Is 尽くす on the JLPT?
Yes. 尽くす is a core JLPT N1 grammar point.
Practice questions for 尽くす
Learning path for 尽くす
Related grammar to review next
- ってば・ったら — because it also adds emotional weight and emphasis, though here it’s about insistence rather than depletion
- つつ — because it pairs two concurrent actions, contrasting with the finality of 尽くす
- うちに入らない — because it draws a line about what counts, like 尽くす draws a line at zero
- とは打って変わって — because it marks a sharp contrast, just as 尽くす marks a sharp end to a resource
Learn 尽くす with Hane
If you want to review 尽くす together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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FAQ about 尽くす
What does 尽くす (tsukusu) mean in Japanese?
尽くす (tsukusu) means “to use up (completely without anything remaining); to exhaust; to run out of”. It is JLPT N1 grammar. Use 尽くす when you want to express that something is consumed in its entirety, leaving nothing left.
How do you form 尽くす (tsukusu)?
Verb (stem form) + 尽くす 使い ＋ 尽くす → 使い尽くす V-stem + 尽くす
What is the difference between 尽くす and 切る?
尽くす: object is used up entirely, nothing left. 切る: action is done completely, to the end.
What is an example sentence with 尽くす (tsukusu)?
彼は貯金を全て使い尽くした。 — He used up all his savings completely.