tardo
/ˈtaɾdo/
The English word 'lethargic' can be translated into Spanish as tardo or letárgico.
Meaning: sluggish, indifferent (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| tardo | /ˈtaɾdo/ |
| letárgico | /leˈtaɾxiko/ |
These terms describe a state of being sluggish or indifferent. In specific contexts, other words may be more appropriate: use somnoliento/a if you mean feeling sleepy or drowsy and use the informal flojo/a to describe someone who is lazy or lacks energy.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtaɾdo/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word for the 'lethargy' felt after a heavy meal: el mal del puerco. Literally translated as 'the pig's sickness', it describes the sudden need to nap after eating.
- The word tardo is a homonym that also serves as the first-person singular present form of the verb tardar, meaning 'I take time' or 'I delay'.
- The English word 'tardy' and the Spanish word tardo are linguistic cousins, both descending from the Latin 'tardus'.
Examples in context
- Estoy tan lenta hoy, ¡no puedo hacer nada!I'm feeling so sluggish today, I can't get anything done!
- Me siento súper floja hoy, no tengo energías para nada.I feel really lethargic today, I have no energy for anything.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about their lack of energy at work.
- MateoElena, ¿por qué estás tan tarda?Elena, why are you so sluggish?
- ElenaNo dormí bien anoche, Mateo.I didn't sleep well last night, Mateo.
- MateoYo también me siento tardo ahora.I feel sluggish right now too.
- ElenaNecesitamos tomar un café urgente.We urgently need to have a coffee.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lethargic” translations and entries tardo, letárgico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tardo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
