Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| perezoso | /peɾeˈθoso/ /peɾeˈsoso/ |
|
| flojo | /ˈfloxo/ | |
| locho | /lot͡ʃo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| haragán | /aɾaˈɡan/ | |
| vago | /ˈbaɡo/ | |
| poltrón | /polˈtɾon/ | |
| apoltronado | /apoltɾoˈnado/ | |
| indolente | /indoˈlente/ | |
| barzón | /baɾθon/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /baɾson/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| manganzón | /manɡanθon/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /manɡanson/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
alternative form |
| rácano | /ˈrakano/ | |
| acostadote | /akostadote/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America |
| echadote | /et͡ʃadote/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America |
| fiacún | /fjakun/ (from spelling rules) | Argentina |
| mangansón | /manɡanson/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, alternative form |
| mangazón | /manɡaθon/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /manɡason/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
Dominican Republic |
These terms all describe someone who is unwilling to work or lacks activity.
Which one should you use?
While flojo can mean lazy, its primary literal meaning is 'loose' or 'slack', such as a loose screw. Indolente is a more formal, literary term for lazy that often implies a state of apathy or a lack of concern. Haragán is used specifically to denote someone who is extremely lazy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Perezoso can be used in both formal and informal contexts in Spain. Indolente is a more formal or literary option. In contrast, vago is commonly used in an informal or derogatory way to describe someone who avoids work or is a 'bum'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Argentina and Colombia, haragán is used to describe someone who is extremely lazy. In Argentina, fiacún is a regionalism used to describe a lazy person. Acostadote and echadote are terms used in Latin America. In the Dominican Republic, mangazón is used. Mangansón is also used in Latin America, and is an alternative spelling of mangazón.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective perezoso must change to the feminine form perezosa if you are describing a female. You can also use the word vago as a noun by adding an indefinite article, such as un vago, to mean 'a lazy person'.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾeˈθoso/
Did you know?
- The word haragán may come from the Andalusian Arabic phrase ḵrā kān, which literally translates to 'it was shit'.
- If you call someone an acostadote or an echadote, you are using terms that literally relate to the act of lying down.
Examples in context
- A él le llaman vago.They call him lazy.This example shows how to use vago as a noun to describe what people call someone.Tatoeba #8893201 by arh, translation #9137016 by Nylez
- Mi marido es un vago.My husband is lazy.This example uses vago as a noun to describe a person.Tatoeba #1869242 by Shishir, translation #1855066 by Spamster
- Mejor flojo que tonto.Better lazy than dumb.This example uses flojo to illustrate a comparison.Tatoeba #1783404 by marcelostockle, translation #9400894 by DJ_Saidez
- Juan es muy flojo para trabajarJuan is very lazy when it comes to work
- Mi compañero de trabajo es un vagoMy coworker is a lazy person
- No seas tan perezoso y haz tus tareasDon't be so lazy and do your homework
- No seas haragán y sal a disfrutar del solDon't be lazy and go enjoy the sun
- Le gusta holgazanear todo el díaHe likes to laze around all day
- 75 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about a coworker at the office.
- MateoDice que Juan es muy perezoso.They say that Juan is very lazy.
- LucíaSí, es un hombre muy perezoso.Yes, he is a very lazy man.
- MateoÉl nunca termina su trabajo.He never finishes his work.
- LucíaEs un problema para el equipo.It is a problem for the team.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lazy” translations and entries perezoso, flojo, locho, haragán, vago, poltrón, apoltronado, indolente, barzón, manganzón, rácano, acostadote, echadote, fiacún, mangansón, mangazón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries flojo, haragán, perezoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
