svogliato
The English phrase lackadaisical is translated into Italian as svogliato.
The term is an adjective used to describe someone or something showing no interest or enthusiasm.
Meaning: showing no interest or enthusiasm (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its ending to agree with the noun it describes: use svogliata for a feminine noun, svogliati for a masculine plural noun and svogliate for a feminine plural noun.
Did you know?
- In some regional dialects, expressing a lack of 'voglia' can be used to politely decline an invitation without being explicitly rude.
- The word svogliato is built from voglia, which means 'will' or 'desire'. Adding the prefix s- literally creates a state of being 'without will'.
- While English uses 'lackadaisical' for a general vibe, svogliato is frequently used by Italian parents and teachers specifically to critique a student's lack of effort on a homework assignment.
Examples in context
- La sua attitudine indolente non porta a risultatiHis lackadaisical attitude doesn't yield results
- Il suo atteggiamento dimostra una pigrizia inconsuetaHis attitude displays uncommon lackadaisicalness
- È un tipo molto svogliato.He is a very lackadaisical person.
- Non essere così svogliato oggi.Don't be so lackadaisical today.
- Il suo atteggiamento svogliato mi annoia.His lackadaisical attitude bores me.
- Perché sei diventato così svogliato a scuola?Why have you become so lackadaisical at school?
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are discussing a student's progress.
- FrancescoQuel ragazzo è molto svogliato in classe.That boy is very lackadaisical in class.
- SofiaSì, sembra non avere alcun interesse.Yes, he seems to have no interest.
- FrancescoDobbiamo aiutarlo a migliorare.We must help him improve.
- SofiaHai ragione, Francesco.You are right, Francesco.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries svogliato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
