Translation guide
Describing someone who avoids effort or activity. Japanese has several common words for 'lazy person', ranging from mild to harsh, and often the concept is expressed through adjectives or verbs rather than a single noun.
To call someone lazy in a casual, everyday sense, without strong insult.
The most standard and common word for a lazy person. Can be used for anyone who avoids work or effort. Not extremely harsh, but still negative.
彼は怠け者だから、いつも宿題を忘れる。
He's a lazy person, so he always forgets his homework.
Literally 'has a habit of being lazy'. Describes a person's tendency rather than labeling them directly.
彼女は怠け癖があるから、部屋がいつも散らかっている。
She has a lazy streak, so her room is always messy.
A colloquial, slightly cute or mocking term for a lazy person, often someone who lounges around all day. Can be used as a noun or adjective.
休みの日はぐうたらして過ごす。
On my days off, I just laze around.
To strongly criticize someone as lazy, often implying uselessness or lack of motivation.
A harsh term for a slovenly, lazy person who neglects personal care or duties. Stronger than 怠け者.
あんな無精者にはなりたくない。
I don't want to become such a lazy slob.
Literally 'useless person'. Implies laziness that makes someone unhelpful or worthless. Very insulting.
Literally 'rice-waster', a very harsh and old-fashioned term for a lazy person who doesn't earn their keep. Rarely used in modern speech.
To describe someone who shirks duties or finds excuses not to work.
From 'saboru' (to skip work/school) + 'ma' (demon). A slang term for a chronic slacker or someone who always skips responsibilities.
彼はサボり魔で、よく仕事をさぼる。
He's a chronic slacker and often skips work.
A more formal or literary way to say 'lazy person'. 怠惰 means indolence or sloth. Often used in writing.
怠惰な人は成功しない。
Lazy people don't succeed.
To describe someone who moves or acts slowly due to laziness or lack of energy.
A mildly insulting term for a slow, sluggish person. Often used for someone who is physically slow or mentally dull, but can imply laziness.
あののろまがまた遅刻した。
That slowpoke is late again.
A term for a slow, dawdling person, often a child. Implies laziness or lack of urgency. Can be used affectionately or critically.
ぐずぐずしないで、早く準備しなさい。
Stop dawdling and get ready quickly.
To describe someone who stays home and avoids activity, often associated with laziness.
Refers to a person who withdraws from society and stays at home. Often implies laziness or lack of motivation, but can also be a serious social issue. Not always purely 'lazy'.
彼は引きこもりで、何年も外に出ていない。
He's a shut-in and hasn't gone outside in years.
NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). Often used to describe young people who are seen as lazy or unmotivated. Can be derogatory.
ニートは社会問題だと言われる。
NEETs are said to be a social problem.
Calling someone a 'lazy person' directly can be very rude in Japanese. It's often safer to describe the behavior (e.g., '怠け癖がある') or use softer terms like 'ぐうたら' among friends. In formal situations, avoid labeling people and instead describe the specific issue.
彼はあまり働かない。
He doesn't work very much. (softer than 'He is lazy')
怠け者 is the general term for a lazy person, while 無精者 specifically implies slovenliness and neglect of personal appearance or duties. 無精者 is harsher and less commonly used in daily conversation.
怠け者でも、身なりはきちんとしている。
Even though he's lazy, he dresses neatly.
無精者はひげも剃らず、部屋も汚い。
A slob doesn't shave and has a dirty room.
彼は役立たずだ。何も手伝わない。
He's useless. He never helps with anything.
昔は働かない人をごくつぶしと呼んだ。
In the old days, people who didn't work were called 'rice-wasters'.