Which one should you use?
While preguiçoso/a is a common and neutral way to say 'lazy', the term ocioso/a carries a stronger connotation of idleness and can imply that someone is being deliberately lazy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To describe someone who is extremely lazy or idle in a colloquial way, you can use the term mandrião/mandriã (lazybones).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or noun being described. Use the feminine singular preguiçosa for women, the masculine plural preguiçosos for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and the feminine plural preguiçosas for a group consisting only of women or feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable: /pɾe.ɡiˈso.zu/.
Did you know?
- The noun preguiça is also the common name for the sloth, the slowest mammal on Earth.
- In some Portuguese contexts, saying estou com preguiça is a socially acceptable way to decline an invitation without sounding rude or uninterested.
- There is a common Portuguese idiom, 'dar uma preguiça', which translates to 'to give a laziness', used when a task feels too daunting or bothersome to start.
Examples in context
- Tom não é preguiçoso.Tom isn't lazy.This sentence is useful for saying that Tom is not lazy using preguiçoso.Tatoeba #5028245 by bill, translation #3171281 by CK
- Você é tão preguiçoso!You're so lazy.This sentence is useful for saying that you are so lazy using preguiçoso.Tatoeba #5261724 by alexmarcelo, translation #2649060 by CK
- Ele nunca é preguiçoso.He is never lazy.This sentence is useful for saying that he is never lazy using preguiçoso.Tatoeba #12363039 by VPZ, translation #289787 by CM
- Ele é muito preguiçoso para ajudar nas tarefas domésticas.He is very lazy to help with household chores.
- Aquele funcionário é sempre ocioso.That employee is always idle/lazy.
- Ele é um verdadeiro mandrião, só fica no sofá o dia todo.He is a real lazybones, he just stays on the couch all day.
- Que preguiça! Tô com uma moleza hoje que não consigo fazer nada.What laziness! I'm feeling so lazy today that I can't get anything done.
- 71 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana are discussing their weekend plans at home.
- JulianaLucas, você está muito preguiçoso hoje.Lucas, you are being very lazy today.
- LucasEu só quero descansar um pouco.I just want to rest a little.
- JulianaPrecisamos terminar as tarefas da casa.We need to finish the housework.
- LucasEstá bem, eu vou ajudar agora.Alright, I will help now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lazy” translations and entries preguiçoso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
