preguiça

Preguiça is a Portuguese noun that denotes laziness or sloth—the reluctance to exert effort, a tendency to avoid tasks, or a temporary mood of low energy. The term originates in Latin pigritia and arrived in Portuguese through medieval forms; cognates appear in other Romance languages, such as Spanish pereza and French paresse.

Usage of the word varies in everyday speech. People commonly say “ter preguiça de fazer algo” to express feeling too lazy to do a task, whether as a short-lived mood or as a more persistent trait. The concept also appears in proverbs and expressions that emphasize diligence and discipline, reflecting cultural views on work and energy.

In psychology and sociology, laziness is not a single clinical diagnosis. Some researchers interpret laziness as a lack of motivation or self-regulation, while others view it as a temporary state influenced by fatigue, stress, or mental health issues. Distinguishing laziness from procrastination is common: procrastination involves delaying actions despite awareness of negative consequences, whereas laziness implies a more sustained unwillingness to act.

Cultural attitudes toward preguiça can be mixed. Many societies link laziness to moral judgments about character and productivity, while other contexts recognize the value of rest and balance, or use humor to soften the critique of laziness. In educational and professional settings, addressing unproductive laziness often involves clear goals, routines, reducing friction to action, and addressing underlying factors such as sleep, health, and motivation.

See also: Procrastination, Motivation, Self-discipline.