ขี้เกียจ
lazy
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 lazy、idle
- 2 not feel like (doing something)、be too lazy to (do something)
Describes an unwillingness to make an effort. It can refer either to a generally lazy character or to temporarily not feeling like doing something.
lazy、idle
Describes someone who habitually avoids work or effort and is therefore considered lazy.
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เขาเป็นคนขี้เกียจ khǎw pen khon khîikìat He is a lazy person. เขาเป็นคนขี้เกียจ details
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อย่าขี้เกียจนะ yàa khîikìat ná Don't be lazy, okay? อย่าขี้เกียจนะ details
not feel like (doing something)、be too lazy to (do something)
Expresses that someone does not feel like doing a particular action because it seems tiring, bothersome, or not worth the effort.
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ขี้เกียจทำงาน khîikìat tham ŋaan I don't feel like working. ขี้เกียจทำงาน details
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วันนี้ขี้เกียจออกไปข้างนอก wan níi khîikìat ɔ̀ɔk pay khâaŋ nɔ̂ɔk I don't feel like going out today. วันนี้ขี้เกียจออกไปข้างนอก details
Learning notes
Explanation
When it describes someone's character, ขี้เกียจ can serve directly as the predicate: เขาขี้เกียจ means “He is lazy.” คนขี้เกียจ forms the noun phrase “a lazy person.” For a particular action, the most useful pattern is ขี้เกียจ + verb. For example, ขี้เกียจเรียน means “not feel like studying,” and ขี้เกียจล้างจาน means “not feel like washing the dishes.” จะ may also appear between ขี้เกียจ and the following verb. Here, ขี้- is a word-forming element associated with an undesirable habit or tendency. A common opposite is ขยัน, meaning “hardworking” or “diligent.”
Usage
It is extremely common in everyday conversations about not feeling like doing chores, studying, working, or going out. Used about yourself, it can sound like a light complaint or joke. It is also used more critically to describe someone who habitually avoids effort.
Caution
Calling someone ขี้เกียจ directly can sound like a criticism of their character and may be insulting. It does not simply report physical tiredness as เหนื่อย does, nor does it mean that a person is annoying or difficult to deal with.
Differences from similar words
1 lazy synonyms
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เกียจคร้าน also means “lazy” but sounds somewhat more formal and is common in writing. ขี้เกียจ is the usual everyday choice.
2 not feel like (doing something) synonyms
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เบื่อ expresses boredom or being fed up. ขี้เกียจ focuses on not wanting to make the effort, even when boredom is not involved.