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 |
The primary way to express being unwilling to work is through the adjective perezoso. Another way to describe a person's character is by using vago, often paired with the indefinite article to mean 'a lazy person' (e.g., un vago).
Which one should you use?
While perezoso is a standard adjective for laziness, vago is often used as a noun to describe a person who is a 'bum' or lacks ambition. In many dialects, flojo is used colloquially to mean lazy, though its literal meaning is 'loose' or 'slack'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term indolente is a more formal or literary term used to describe a lack of care or a state of apathy. Conversely, flojo is used colloquially in many dialects.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, fiacún is used to refer to a lazy person. In Latin America, you may encounter the terms acostadote, echadote or mangansón (an alternative spelling of mangazón). The term mangazón is specifically used in the Dominican Republic. In Mexico, huevón or huevona is a colloquial term used to describe lazy people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective perezoso must agree in gender with the person being described. The feminine form is perezosa.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾeˈθoso/
Did you know?
- The word apoltronado comes from poltrona, which is a type of armchair, suggesting the person is stuck in their seat.
- While vago means 'lazy', it also means 'vague' in Spanish, describing something that is not clearly defined.
- The English word 'flux' and the Spanish word flujo are linguistic cousins to the word flojo, which is used to describe a lazy person.
Examples in context
- A él le llaman vago.They call him lazy.This sentence shows how to use vago to describe someone.Tatoeba #8893201 by arh, translation #9137016 by Nylez
- Mi marido es un vago.My husband is lazy.This sentence shows how to use 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 sentence uses flojo to mean lazy.Tatoeba #1783404 by marcelostockle, translation #9400894 by DJ_Saidez
- Juan muestra demasiada pereza en su trabajo.Juan shows too much laziness in his work.
- La indolencia de María la ha llevado a no alcanzar sus metas.María's laziness has prevented her from reaching her goals.
- No debes tolerar la holgazanería en el lugar de trabajo.You shouldn't tolerate laziness in the workplace.
- No seas flojo/a y termina tus tareas.Don't be lazy and finish your tasks.
- Mi hermano es muy vago, nunca ayuda en casa.My brother is very lazy, he never helps at home.
- Estoy cansado de ser el único que limpia, ¡eres muy perezoso/a!I'm tired of being the only one who cleans, you're very lazy!
- 75 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about their roommate's housework.
- MaríaJavier, ¿has visto a nuestro compañero?Javier, have you seen our roommate?
- JavierSí, está en el sofá.Yes, he is on the sofa.
- MaríaEs muy perezoso con la limpieza.He is very lazy with the cleaning.
- JavierTienes razón, María, es muy lento.You are right, María, he is very slow.
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.
