The word 身心交瘁 is formed by combining 身 (body) and 心 (mind) into 身心, meaning "body and mind", which is then linked with 交 (mutually) and 瘁 (exhausted) into 交瘁, meaning "mutually exhausted". The compound literally conveys that both physical and mental aspects are simultaneously worn out, denoting a state of total exhaustion.