piger
[ˈpɪ.ɡɛr]
The Latin word for lazy is piger. If unsure, use piger. Wiktionary also lists ignāvus and sēgnis.
Meaning: unwilling to work (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| piger | [ˈpɪ.ɡɛr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈpiː.d͡ʒer] (narrow) |
| ignāvus | |
| sēgnis |
The term is used to describe someone who is unwilling to work.
Which one should you use?
While piger is a more neutral way to describe someone as lazy, ignāvus carries a stronger connotation of being 'useless' or 'good-for-nothing'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its ending based on the gender of the subject: use pigra for a feminine singular subject and pigrum for a neuter singular subject.
Did you know?
- In Roman society, being ignāvus was not just a personality flaw but was often viewed as a lack of 'virtus' or masculine courage.
- The term ignāvus can shift from meaning 'lazy' to meaning 'cowardly' depending on whether the context is a workplace or a battlefield.
Examples in context
- Hic puer est piger.This boy is lazy.This sentence shows how to use piger to describe a boy.Tatoeba #812092 by rado, translation #1102794 by CM
- Valde piger puer est.He is a very lazy boy.This sentence demonstrates the use of piger with the adverb 'valde'.Tatoeba #5032162 by alexmarcelo, translation #292137 by CK
- Didymus valde piger est.Tom is very lazy.This sentence illustrates how to use piger to describe a person's character.Tatoeba #5031795 by alexmarcelo, translation #3823120 by CK
- Magister noster pigritiam severissime reprehendit.Our teacher strongly condemns laziness.
- Regina, desidiam tuam non tolerabo!Queen, I will not tolerate your laziness!
- Amicus meus nimis ignavus est. Numquam studet.My friend is too lazy, he never studies.
- Hodie nihil facere volo, permittite mihi socordiam.Today, I want to do nothing, allow me my laziness.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marcus and Claudia are discussing a classmate.
- MarcusCur non studet?Why is he not studying?
- ClaudiaQuia Lucius piger est.Because Lucius is lazy.
- MarcusEstne semper ita?Is he always like that?
- ClaudiaIta, piger valde est.Yes, he is very lazy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lazy” translations and entries piger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piger, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
