Holgazaneando
/olɡaθaneando/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "slacking" is Holgazaneando.
Holgazaneando refers to the act of avoiding work or effort in order to be lazy. To express that someone is currently slacking, you typically use the verb estar followed by holgazaneando, such as in the phrase está holgazaneando (he/she is slacking).
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the adjective holgazán, which means "lazy person".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While Holgazaneando is a precise term for laziness, the phrase perdiendo el tiempo is a very common informal way to describe someone wasting time or slacking off.
How does it change in a sentence?
Holgazaneando is the gerund of the verb holgazanear, which means "to loaf" or "to idle".
How do you pronounce it?
/olɡaθaneando/
Did you know?
- In many parts of Latin America, instead of using holgazaneando, people might say they are echando la flojera, which literally translates to 'throwing the laziness'.
- The word flojo is a linguistic double agent. While it is a common slang term for a 'lazy' person, it is also the standard adjective used to describe anything that is physically 'loose' or not tight.
- While holgazaneando describes the act of slacking, Spanish speakers often use the phrase estar en las nubes to describe the mental state of slacking. This implies the person is not just lazy but daydreaming and completely detached from their duties.
Examples in context
- Estoy preocupado/a porque algunos empleados están ociosos y no están cumpliendo con sus responsabilidades.I'm concerned because some employees are slacking and not meeting their responsibilities.
- No podemos permitir que los estudiantes holgazaneen en clase.We cannot allow the students to slack off in class.
- Como encargado del proyecto, no puedo permitir que mi equipo holgazanee durante las horas de trabajo.As the project manager, I cannot allow my team to slack off during working hours.
- Está holgazaneando en lugar de estudiar.He is slacking instead of studying.
- Pasó toda la tarde holgazaneando en el sofá.He spent the whole afternoon slacking on the sofa.
- No quiero verte holgazaneando durante el horario de trabajo.I don't want to see you slacking during work hours.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about a coworker at the office.
- Alejandro¿Viste a Juan en la cafetería?Did you see Juan in the cafeteria?
- MaríaSí, lo vi holgazaneando con su teléfono.Yes, I saw him slacking with his phone.
- AlejandroÉl siempre está evitando sus tareas.He is always avoiding his tasks.
- MaríaEs un problema para todo el equipo.It is a problem for the whole team.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
