Spanish word

vago

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbaɣo/

Meaning

  • adjectivelazy

Example

Mi hermano es muy vago.

My brother is very lazy.

Illustration for vago (lazy)

More examples

En el trabajo, no conviene ser vago si quieres ascender.

At work, it's not advisable to be lazy if you want to get promoted.

Core concept

An idler who shirks tasks.

Common phrases

  • ser vago

    be lazy

  • estar vago

    feel lazy

  • muy vago

    very lazy

Similar words

perezoso: Favours postponing duties and avoids starting tasks because they seem bothersome.
flojo: Shows low effort or commitment, often slack or careless in tasks.
comodón: Avoids effort by choosing an easy, comfortable lifestyle.
haragán: Demonstrates extreme idleness, rarely doing any productive work.

Definition in Spanish

Que evita el trabajo y muestra pereza; también usado como sustantivo para una persona perezosa.

Word origin

From Latin vagus 'wandering', with the shift from wandering/aimlessness to idle behaviour producing the Spanish adjective and noun vago.

Usage tips

  • Unlike flojo, which can mean loose or weak, vago specifically labels a person as lazy and often has stronger negative connotations.

Other meanings

  • loafernoun
  • vagueadjective

Opposites

  • trabajadorhardworkingadjective
  • diligentediligentadjective

Related words

  • vagamentevaguelyadverb

Word lists with this word