perezoso
/peɾeˈθoso/
The English phrase "lazy person" is translated into Spanish as perezoso.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Holgazán or holgazana are formal and slightly old-fashioned terms for someone who is idle and avoids work. You can use vago. In many Spanish-speaking countries, the informal term flojo/a is also used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word perezoso changes its ending based on gender and number. Use perezosa if you are describing a female person. To describe a group of males or a mixed group, use the plural form perezosos. If the group consists only of females, use perezosas.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾeˈθoso/
Did you know?
- The word perezoso is also the standard Spanish name for the sloth, the slow-moving mammal from Central and South America.
- The word vago shares the same root as the English word 'vague', reflecting an original meaning of wandering without a fixed destination.
- In certain Caribbean dialects, flojo can be used to describe a weak signal or a loose bolt, blending the idea of 'lazy' with 'lacking tension'.
Examples in context
- En otras palabras, es un perezoso.In other words, he is a lazy person.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to describe a person as a perezoso.Tatoeba #431910 by Leono, translation #453912 by saasmath
- Tom dijo que María era la más perezosa de su clase, pero creo que él mismo es mucho más perezoso.Tom said that Maria was the most lazy person in his class, but I believe that he himself is much more lazy.This sentence shows how to use perezoso when comparing levels of laziness.Tatoeba #8304901 by GuidoW, translation #12827213 by Yepthatscool
- Juan es un perezoso. Nunca ayuda en casaJuan is a lazy person, he never helps at home
- María es una vaga completa. Nunca hace nadaMaría is a complete lazy person, she never does anything
- No debes ser holgazán/a si quieres tener éxito en la vidaYou shouldn't be lazy if you want to succeed in life
- Mi amigo Pedro es muy flojo. Siempre deja todo para última horaMy friend Pedro is very lazy, he always leaves everything for the last minute
- No seas un perezoso y limpia tu cuarto.Don't be a lazy person and clean your room.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are cleaning the house.
- AlejandroTengo mucho sueño, lo haré mañana.I'm very sleepy, I'll do it tomorrow.
- LucíaSiempre dices eso, Alejandro, eres un perezoso.You always say that, Alejandro, you are a lazy person.
- AlejandroNo soy perezoso, solo necesito un descanso.I'm not a lazy person, I just need a break.
- LucíaMenos excusas y más trabajo, por favor.Fewer excuses and more work, please.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry perezoso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
