Translation guide
The English word 'indolent' describes a person who is habitually lazy, avoids effort, or is slow to act. In Japanese, there is no single exact equivalent; instead, various adjectives, nouns, and phrases capture different shades of laziness, idleness, or sluggishness. The most common and natural ways to express this concept are 怠惰 (taida) for formal or written contexts, 怠け者 (namakemono) for a lazy person, and ぐうたら (guutara) for a casual, idle lifestyle.
Describing someone who is inherently lazy, avoids work, or lacks motivation as a personality trait.
A formal noun/adjective meaning laziness or indolence. Often used in written language or serious contexts to describe a person's character or a state of idleness.
彼は怠惰な生活を送っている。
He leads an indolent life.
怠惰は成功の敵だ。
Indolence is the enemy of success.
A common noun for a lazy person, someone who habitually avoids work. Slightly colloquial but widely used.
彼は本当に怠け者だ。
He is really indolent.
怠け者にならないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to become an indolent person.
A noun/adjective describing a disinclination to make an effort, often used for personal habits like grooming or housework. Implies slovenliness along with laziness.
彼は無精で、いつも部屋が散らかっている。
He is indolent and his room is always messy.
Negligence or laziness, often implying a failure to fulfill duties. More about neglecting responsibilities than general laziness.
彼の怠慢が事故を引き起こした。
His indolence caused the accident.
Describing a temporary state of inactivity, slowness, or lack of energy, often due to mood or circumstances.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning lazily, sluggishly, or idly. Often used with する to describe spending time doing nothing productive.
週末は家でだらだら過ごした。
I spent the weekend indolently at home.
A casual noun/adverb for a lazy, idle lifestyle or person. Often used self-deprecatingly or humorously.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning slowly, sluggishly. Emphasizes slow movement rather than laziness of character.
An adjective meaning languid, listless, or indolent in a poetic or emotional sense. Often used in literature.
Focusing on the act of shirking duties or being unwilling to exert oneself.
A verb meaning to be lazy, to neglect one's duties, or to idle. Commonly used in daily conversation.
彼は仕事を怠けてばかりいる。
He is always indolent about his work.
怠けずに勉強しなさい。
Study without being indolent.
Slang verb meaning to skip, slack off, or be lazy about something specific (work, school). Derived from 'sabotage'.
A noun/adjective meaning laziness with a nuance of shamelessness or taking the easy way out. Often used for cutting corners.
怠惰 (taida) is formal and often used in writing or serious speech. 怠け者 (namakemono) is the standard word for a lazy person. ぐうたら (guutara) is casual and often implies a comfortable, self-indulgent laziness.
怠惰な態度は許されない。
An indolent attitude is not tolerated.
あいつは本当に怠け者だな。
That guy is really indolent.
休みの日はぐうたらしてるよ。
On my days off, I just laze around.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches the English 'indolent' in all contexts. Using a dictionary form like 怠惰な (taida na) in casual conversation may sound overly stiff. Choose the word based on the situation and nuance.
怠惰な態度は避けたほうがいい。
It's better to avoid an indolent attitude.
彼の怠惰な性格がしばしば問題を引き起こした。
His indolent nature often got him into trouble.
そんなに怠けてないで、起きて手伝って！
Don't be so indolent—get up and help!
ぐうたらな生活を改めたい。
I want to change my indolent lifestyle.
彼はぐうたらで、仕事を探そうとしない。
He is indolent and won't look for a job.
彼はのろのろと歩いている。
He is walking indolently.
物憂い春の午後。
An indolent spring afternoon.
He often plays truant (is indolent about school).
Don't be indolent; do it properly.