Lately I work too much — I'm exhausted.
'Ultimamente' = ool-tee-ma-MEN-teh — five syllables. 'Esaurita' = eh-zoo-REE-ta — four syllables. Both words carry emotional weight.
Use with trusted colleagues or friends when work stress is affecting your wellbeing. Complaining about overwork is a universal bonding topic — it generates empathy and shared understanding.
'Ultimamente' = 'lately/recently.' 'Lavorare troppo' = 'to work too much.' 'Esaurito/a' = 'exhausted/burnt out' — from 'esaurire' (to exhaust/drain). The adjective agrees with the speaker's gender.
Sono stressato/a da settimane.
I've been stressed for weeks.
'Stressato/a' — fully borrowed from English and universally understood.
Non riesco a staccare la testa dal lavoro.
I can't switch off from work.
'Staccare la testa dal lavoro' — idiomatic for mentally switching off.
Ho bisogno di una pausa.
I need a break.
Simple and direct — often the foundation for planning time off.
Italian work culture varies enormously by region and sector. Northern Italian business culture (especially finance and manufacturing) can involve very long hours. The concept of 'burnout' has been fully adopted into Italian workplace vocabulary.