Translation guide
A person who avoids work or effort. Japanese has many nuanced terms depending on the type of slacking, from mild laziness to social withdrawal.
Describing someone who is habitually lazy or avoids effort in everyday situations.
The most common and neutral term for a lazy person. Can be used for anyone who avoids work or effort.
彼は怠け者だから、いつも宿題をしない。
He's a slacker, so he never does his homework.
A colloquial term for a lazy person who lounges around doing nothing. Often used for someone who is idle at home.
休みの日はぐうたらして過ごす。
On my days off, I just laze around like a slacker.
A somewhat old-fashioned term for a slovenly or indolent person. Emphasizes neglect of duties or personal care.
彼は無精者で、部屋はいつも散らかっている。
He's such a slacker; his room is always a mess.
Focusing on avoiding assigned tasks, duties, or work in a school or workplace setting.
Someone who habitually skips work, school, or duties. 'サボる' means to skip or slack off, and '魔' adds a sense of being a chronic offender.
あいつはサボり魔で、会議に一度も来たことがない。
That guy is a total slacker; he's never once come to a meeting.
A straightforward description: 'a person who doesn't work'. Not a set phrase, but clearly conveys the idea of a slacker in a work context.
彼は仕事をしない人だから、チームの足を引っ張っている。
He's a slacker, so he's dragging the team down.
A formal term for a worker who deliberately slows down or avoids work, often in a labor dispute context. Rare in everyday speech.
怠業者は会社から警告を受けた。
The slacker received a warning from the company.
Describing someone who withdraws from society and avoids work or school entirely, often staying at home.
Refers to a person who withdraws from social life, often staying in their room for months or years. While not exactly 'slacker', it overlaps when the person avoids work or school.
彼は大学を中退して、引きこもりになってしまった。
He dropped out of college and became a shut-in slacker.
Acronym for 'Not in Education, Employment, or Training'. A NEET is often seen as a slacker by society, though the term is neutral in definition.
ニートの若者が増えている。
The number of young slackers (NEETs) is increasing.
Using 'slacker' lightly among friends or about oneself, without strong negative judgment.
In casual conversation, calling yourself or a friend 怠け者 or ぐうたら can be playful. Context and tone matter.
私、本当に怠け者だから、週末は何もしないんだ。
I'm such a slacker, I do nothing on weekends.
In Japanese workplaces, directly calling someone a 'slacker' (怠け者) can be very rude. It's better to describe the behavior indirectly, e.g., '彼はあまり仕事をしない' (He doesn't do much work).
怠け者 is a general term for a lazy person, while ぐうたら specifically implies lounging around idly, often at home. ぐうたら is more colloquial and less harsh.