# How to say “lazy” in Chinese

> The mildest way to say “lazy” in Chinese is 懒 (lǎn), “lazy”. The strongest is 好吃懒做 (hào chī lǎn zuò), “loves to eat, hates to work”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.

Source: https://lanlanchinese.com/how-to-say/lazy-in-chinese (updated 2026-10-18)

1. **懒** (lǎn) (strength 1/5): lazy. The panda's favourite word.
   Heard in a real video: 还跟奶奶说我懒？ "And she told Grandma I'm lazy?" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsRgif20nk0&t=325s)
   Heard in a real video: 为什么胖的人相对比较懒？ "Why are fat people lazier?" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPfIXuBXYh4&t=135s)
2. **懒虫** (lǎn chóng) (strength 2/5): lazybones (lit. lazy bug). Said with love to someone who won't get up.
3. **懒鬼** (lǎn guǐ) (strength 3/5): lazy ghost. Now mum is annoyed.
4. **懒骨头** (lǎn gǔ tou) (strength 4/5): lazy bones. Skipped the gym for the fifth time.
5. **好吃懒做** (hào chī lǎn zuò) (strength 5/5): loves to eat, hates to work. The full panda lifestyle.

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