French · Emotions & Descriptions

"Lazy" in French: paresseux / paresseuse

paresseux / paresseuse

Say it: pah-reh-SUH / pah-reh-SUHZadjective/pa.ʁɛ.sø/ /pa.ʁɛ.søz/

Lazy in French is paresseux for masculine and paresseuse for feminine. Say Je suis un peu paresseux ce matin lightly. Soften with fatigué if you mean tired, not lazy.

Sunday morning

Je suis paresseux aujourd'hui, je reste au lit.
I'm lazy today—I'm staying in bed.
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How to pronounce paresseux / paresseuse

Say it

pah-reh-SUH / pah-reh-SUHZ

/pa.ʁɛ.sø/ /pa.ʁɛ.søz/

pah-reh-SUH / pah-reh-SUHZ. Stress on final syllable; soft s.

"Lazy" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
paresseux / paresseuselazy

Gender forms.

un peu paresseux(se)a bit lazy

Softer.

journée paresseuselazy day

Mood.

fainéant(e)idle / lazy

Stronger / blunter.

How to use paresseux / paresseuse in real life

  1. 1Sunday morning

    Je suis paresseux aujourd'hui, je reste au lit.

    I'm lazy today—I'm staying in bed.

    Masculine.

  2. 2Roommate teasing

    Tu es trop paresseuse pour sortir ?

    Are you too lazy to go out?

    Feminine.

  3. 3Cat on the sofa

    Ce chat est paresseux toute la journée.

    This cat is lazy all day.

    Animal.

Mistakes English speakers make with paresseux / paresseuse

Incorrect: Elle est paresseux.

Correct: Elle est paresseuse.

Feminine form ends in -euse.

Incorrect: Je suis lazy.

Correct: Je suis paresseux / paresseuse.

Use the French adjective.

Good to know

Calling someone paresseux can sting—use it lightly about yourself more than about others. Une grasse matinée is a beloved lazy morning ritual, not an insult.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Choosing between a hike and the couch

  1. ChatPal

    On marche ou on reste paresseux ?

    Do we walk or stay lazy?

  2. You

    Aujourd'hui je suis paresseux, film à la maison.

    Today I'm lazy—movie at home.

  3. ChatPal

    Ok, mode paresseux activé.

    Okay, lazy mode on.

  4. You

    Je prépare le popcorn.

    I'll make the popcorn.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Lazy" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Lazy" in French

How do you say lazy?

Paresseux / paresseuse.

How does gender work?

Paresseux (m.), paresseuse (f.).

Is it rude?

It can be—soften with un peu or joke about yourself.

How do you pronounce paresseux?

pah-reh-SUH.

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