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perezoso

peh-reh-SOH-soh/peɾeˈsoso/

“perezoso” means “lazy” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

lazy

Also: idle, sluggish
MexicoSpain
A person lying comfortably in a colorful hammock between two palm trees, eyes closed in relaxation.

📝 In Action

Mi hermano es muy perezoso y nunca limpia su habitación.

A1

My brother is very lazy and never cleans his room.

Hoy me siento un poco perezoso, no quiero ir al gimnasio.

A2

I feel a bit lazy today, I don't want to go to the gym.

Tuvimos un domingo perezoso viendo películas en el sofá.

B1

We had a lazy Sunday watching movies on the couch.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vago (lazy/slacker)
  • flojo (lazy (common in Mexico))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ser perezoso – to be a lazy person (character trait)
  • sentirse perezoso – to feel lazy (temporary state)
  • estudiante perezoso – lazy student

Idioms & Expressions

  • quitarse la pereza – to shake off the laziness/get motivated

sloth

NounmB1
Costa Rica
A brown three-toed sloth hanging upside down from a green leafy tree branch.

📝 In Action

El perezoso es un animal que vive en las selvas de Centroamérica.

A2

The sloth is an animal that lives in the jungles of Central America.

Los perezosos pasan la mayor parte del tiempo durmiendo en los árboles.

B1

Sloths spend most of their time sleeping in trees.

Vimos un perezoso de tres dedos cruzando el camino.

B2

We saw a three-toed sloth crossing the road.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • perezoso de tres dedos – three-toed sloth
  • oso perezoso – sloth (often called 'sloth bear' in some regions)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "perezoso" in Spanish:

sloth→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: perezoso

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly describes a permanent character trait of a woman?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pereza(laziness) — Noun
perezosamente(lazily) — Adverb
emperezar(to get lazy/feel lazy) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish noun 'pereza' (laziness), which comes from the Latin word 'pigritia'. The suffix '-oso' was added to mean 'full of' or 'characterized by'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: preguiçosoItalian: pigro

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'vago' and 'perezoso'?

'Perezoso' is the general word for lazy. 'Vago' is often used for someone who habitually avoids work (a slacker) and can be slightly more insulting depending on the country.

Does 'perezoso' always have to change to 'perezosa'?

Yes, if you are describing a female person or a feminine noun (like 'la gata perezosa'), you must change the ending to -a.

Can I use 'perezoso' to describe a slow internet connection?

No, it's better to use 'lento' or 'lenta'. 'Perezoso' implies a choice or a lack of will, which machines don't have!