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 ~
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 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.
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 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. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.
Nuance of 尽くす
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. “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)
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 尽くす
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with 尽くす, then rewrite it with 切る. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.
Is 尽くす on the JLPT?
Yes. 尽くす is a core JLPT N1 grammar point.
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 尽くす
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.
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.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about 尽くす
What does 尽くす mean in Japanese?
尽くす means “to use up (completely without anything remaining); to exhaust; to run out of ~” in Japanese. It is an N1 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is 尽くす on the JLPT?
尽くす is taught as N1 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N1 patterns.
How should I practice 尽くす?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after 尽くす, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.