How to Say “Deadbeat” in Spanish

By •
holgazán
/olɡaˈθan/
In Spanish, 'deadbeat' is translated as holgazán.
The word holgazán refers to a lazy person who depends on financially independent people for support. It can function as a noun meaning a deadbeat or as an adjective meaning lazy. Related forms like faltón or incumplidor can also be used to describe someone who is exhausted or dead tired, or more specifically to describe someone who fails to fulfill a duty or debt.
Meaning: lazy person, depending upon financially independent people for support (noun)

Which one should you use?

While holgazán describes a person's character or their habit of laziness, incumplidor refers specifically to someone who fails to fulfill a specific duty or debt.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Mexico, the term mala paga is used to describe a deadbeat, specifically a bad payer.

Related words

Exhausted, dead tired (adj): faltón, incumplidor.

How does it change in a sentence?

Its feminine form is holgazana, and its plural form is holgazanes.

How do you pronounce it?

/olɡaˈθan/

Did you know?

  • The word holgazán is a linguistic hybrid, combining a Spanish verb with a word borrowed from Andalusian Arabic. It traces back to the Arabic word kaslān, meaning 'lazy'.
  • The word holgazán is closely related to the Spanish verb holgar, which means 'to idle' or 'to rest'.

Examples in context

  • La madre del niño es una deudora incumplida.
    The child's mother is a defaulting debtor.
  • No contrates a Juan, es un vago que no hace nada.
    Don't hire Juan, he is a lazy deadbeat.
  • Ese hombre es un mantenido, siempre depende del dinero de los demás.
    That man is a deadbeat, he always relies on others' money.
  • No le prestes dinero a Laura, es una mala paga y nunca te lo devolverá.
    Don't lend money to Laura, she's a deadbeat and she'll never pay you back.
  • Ese hombre es un holgazán.
    That man is a deadbeat.
  • No seas un holgazán y busca trabajo.
    Don't be a deadbeat and look for a job.
  • Su hermano es un holgazán total.
    His brother is a total deadbeat.

Example conversation

Lucía and Mateo are discussing their roommate.

  1. Lucía

    Mateo, nuestro compañero es un holgazán.
    Mateo, our roommate is a deadbeat.
  2. Mateo

    Sí, nunca paga su parte del alquiler.
    Yes, he never pays his share of the rent.
  3. Lucía

    Él solo quiere que nosotros lo mantengamos.
    He just wants us to support him.
  4. Mateo

    Tenemos que pedirle que se mude.
    We have to ask him to move out.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏
Alexis Tracey
Alexis TraceyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Scroll to Top