Meaning and Usage
"偷懒" literally means "to steal laziness," but it is used to describe someone avoiding work or responsibilities by being lazy or slacking off. It often carries a mildly negative connotation, implying irresponsibility or lack of diligence.
Common Contexts
You will hear "偷懒" used in everyday conversations about work, study, or chores when someone is not putting in the expected effort. It is informal and suitable for casual speech.
Typical Collocations
- 偷懒不干活 (slack off and not work): describes refusing to do assigned tasks.
- 偷懒耍滑 (be lazy and try to avoid work cleverly): implies trying to get away with minimal effort.
- 偷懒心理 (mindset of laziness): refers to the tendency or habit of avoiding effort.
Usage Tips
"偷懒" is often used to gently criticize or tease someone for being lazy. It is less harsh than words like "懒惰" but still points out a lack of effort. Avoid using it in very formal contexts.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "偷懒" with "懒惰" (lǎnduò), which is a more general adjective meaning "lazy." "偷懒" emphasizes the act of shirking duties rather than a personality trait.