كسلان
kaslān
The English word 'lazy' is translated to Arabic as كسلان (kaslān).
The word is an adjective used to describe someone who is unwilling to work.
Meaning: unwilling to work (adj)
Which one should you use?
The form كسلان is the default, but the formal version is كَسَول and the informal version is كِسْلَان.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a group of females (feminine plural), use كسلانات by adding the suffix -at.
How do you pronounce it?
kaslān
Did you know?
- While English speakers 'are' lazy, Arabic speakers often say عندي كسل, meaning 'I have laziness', treating the feeling as a temporary guest or external condition.
- In some Arabic cultures, the opposite of being كسلان is not just 'hardworking' but نشيط, a word that implies a spiritual and moral state of alertness and vigor.
- If you are using the formal كَسَول (kasūl) in a coffee shop or a market, you may actually sound like a character from an old historical novel rather than a modern person.
Examples in context
- إنه كسول في عمله.He is lazy in his work.
- فلان دايماً كسلان وما بيشتغل.So-and-so is always lazy and never works.
- هو ولد كسلان جداً.huwa walad kaslan jiddan.He is a very lazy boy.
- لا تكن كسلان اليوم.la takun kaslan al-yawm.Don't be lazy today.
- لماذا أنت كسلان هكذا؟limadha anta kaslan hakadha?Why are you so lazy?
Example conversation
A mother and son talking about cleaning the room.
- سارة Saraزياد، لماذا أنت كسلان؟Ziyad, limadha anta kaslan?Ziyad, why are you lazy?
- زياد Ziadأنا لست كسلان يا سارة.ana lastu kaslan ya Sarah.I am not lazy, Sarah.
- سارة Saraنظف غرفتك الآن.nadhif ghurfataka al-an.Clean your room now.
- زياد Ziadسأفعل ذلك بعد قليل.sa-af'alu dhalika ba'da qalil.I will do that in a little bit.
