tamad
/taˈmad/
The Tagalog word for lazy is tamad. Wiktionary also lists batugan and patay-patay.
Meaning: unwilling to work (adj)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| tamad | /taˈmad/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| batugan | /baˈtuɡan/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| patay-patay |
The adjective tamad is used to describe someone who is unwilling to work. To describe the concept of laziness as a noun, use katamaran.
Which one should you use?
While tamad is the standard term, batugan is an intense and derogatory term used to describe someone who is habitually idle or shiftless. Additionally, the phrase tamad na tamad can be used to add emphasis to how lazy a person is.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Metro Manila, the word tambay might be used to describe someone who is lazy.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone is 'very lazy', you can add the prefix napaka- to the word to form napakatamad.
How do you pronounce it?
/taˈmad/
Did you know?
- The phrase patay-patay literally translates to 'dead-dead', using the word for 'dead' to describe someone working with no energy or enthusiasm.
- To describe someone as lazy in a more playful or indirect way, Filipinos might say they are magaling mag-idlip, implying they are a professional at napping.
- In Filipino culture, calling someone tamad can be a serious social stigma because of the high value placed on sipag, which means industry or diligence.
Examples in context
- Ang tamad po niya.He's lazy.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is lazy using the form tamad.Tatoeba #11725669 by qwertzu, translation #2030108 by Spamster
- Naging tamad na kayo!You are becoming lazy!This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is becoming lazy using the form tamad.Tatoeba #2062330 by nonong, translation #2376974 by Adelpa
- Ang tamad niyang tao.He's such a lazy fellow.This sentence is useful for describing someone as a lazy person using the form tamad.Tatoeba #11647046 by qwertzu, translation #10596609 by CK
- Siya ay tamad.He/She is lazy.
- Ang kaibigan ko, tamad na tamad maglinis ng sariling kuwarto.My friend is extremely lazy to clean their own room.
- Nakakairita kapag may kasama kang walang gana sa trabaho.It's annoying to have someone lazy at work.
- Tambay lang sa bahay, walang ginagawa.Just lazing around at home, doing nothing.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mark and Jasmine are talking about their friend's habits at a cafe.
- MarkBakit ang tamad niya?Why is he so lazy?
- JasmineHindi lang siya tamad, sadyang wala lang siyang gana.He's not just lazy, he just has no motivation.
- MarkTotoo ba?Is that true?
- JasmineOo, pero baka napapagod lang siya.Yes, but maybe he's just tired.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lazy” translations and entries tamad, batugan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
