vago
/VAH-go/
lazy
When describing a person, 'vago' means lazy, like someone avoiding work by taking a nap.
vago(adjective)
lazy
?describing a person who dislikes work
,idle
?not doing anything
slacker
?used as a noun (el vago)
📝 In Action
Eres muy vago y nunca lavas los platos.
A2You are very lazy and never wash the dishes.
El profesor regañó a los alumnos vagos por no hacer la tarea.
B1The teacher scolded the lazy students for not doing the homework.
Pasa todo el día siendo un vago, viendo televisión.
B2He spends all day being an idler, watching television.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Matching
Like many Spanish adjectives, 'vago' must match the gender of the person you are describing. Use 'vago' for men/boys and 'vaga' for women/girls.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Vago' (Lazy) and 'Perezoso' (Lazy)
Mistake: "Using 'perezoso' when you mean 'vago' in certain regions."
Correction: While both mean lazy, 'vago' is often used more broadly to mean someone who avoids responsibility, while 'perezoso' focuses more on physical sluggishness. Both are correct, but 'vago' is usually more common in Spain and parts of Latin America.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Vago' as a Noun
You can use 'vago' (or 'vaga') by itself to mean 'a lazy person' or 'an idler' (e.g., 'El vago de mi primo').
'Vago' can also mean vague or unclear, like an object whose definition is lost in the mist.
vago(adjective)
vague
?unclear or imprecise
,unspecified
?lacking detail
hazy
?describing a memory or sensation
📝 In Action
Tengo un recuerdo muy vago de mi infancia.
B2I have a very vague memory of my childhood.
La respuesta del político fue demasiado vaga e imprecisa.
C1The politician's answer was too vague and imprecise.
Siento un dolor vago en el estómago, no puedo señalarlo.
C2I feel a vague pain in my stomach; I can't pinpoint it.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Ideas
When 'vago' describes an abstract noun (like 'idea,' 'recuerdo,' or 'sentimiento'), it means the idea is unclear, not that the idea itself is lazy.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Use
This meaning is often used in more formal writing or when speaking about abstract concepts, whereas the 'lazy' meaning is used for people.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vago
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'vago' to describe something unclear, not someone lazy?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vago' offensive when calling someone lazy?
While 'vago' is a common, neutral way to say 'lazy,' it can be considered rude or critical depending on your tone and the context. Use it carefully, especially when speaking to superiors or people you don't know well.
How do I make 'vago' plural?
Like most Spanish words ending in a vowel, you just add an 's': 'vagOs' (male/mixed group) or 'vagAs' (female group).