trễ biếng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lazy and slow / slothful and tardy: Describes a person who is both lazy (unwilling to work or use energy) and habitually slow or late in their actions and duties.
- Negligent and dilatory: Characterized by a negligent attitude that results in delays and a failure to meet deadlines or obligations.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cậu học sinh ấy rất trễ biếng, luôn nộp bài tập muộn. (That student is very lazy and tardy, always submitting homework late.)
- Thái độ trễ biếng của anh ta khiến cả nhóm bị ảnh hưởng. (His slothful and dilatory attitude affected the whole team.)
- Đừng có trễ biếng, hãy bắt đầu công việc ngay đi. (Don't be lazy and slow; start the work right away.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "trễ biếng" is often used in formal or literary contexts to criticize a person's character or work ethic comprehensively, combining the flaws of both indolence and unpunctuality.
Variants and Related Words
Lười biếng (adj): Lazy, indolent. (Focuses solely on laziness, not necessarily lateness.)
- Nó chỉ nằm dài, thật là lười biếng. (He just lies around; he's truly lazy.)
Chậm trễ (adj): Late, delayed, tardy. (Focuses solely on slowness or lateness, not necessarily laziness.)
- Tiến độ công việc bị chậm trễ. (The work progress is delayed.)
Synonyms
- Slothful: Lazy and inactive.
- Dilatory: Slow to act; causing delay.
- Indolent: Wanting to avoid activity or exertion.
- Negligent: Failing to take proper care.
Related Idioms
- "Nước đến chân mới nhảy": Literally "Only jump when the water reaches your feet," meaning to act only at the last minute when forced to. This idiom reflects the consequence of a "trễ biếng" attitude.
- Anh ta trễ biếng suốt, giống như nước đến chân mới nhảy. (He's lazy and slow all the time, just like someone who only acts at the last minute.)