NetChai Chinese

What Does 好吃懒做 (hào chī lǎn zuò) Mean?

好吃懒做
hào chī lǎn zuò
Fond of eating and lazy · trad. 好吃懶做
A young adult reclines on a sofa, reaching for a snack instead of doing chores, illustrating “fond of eating and lazy” in Chinese: 好吃懒做 (hào chī lǎn zuò)

Describes someone who enjoys eating and idleness but avoids work. It characterizes individuals who are gluttonous and prefer not to exert effort. This phrase often carries a negative connotation.

What does 好吃懒做 (hào chī lǎn zuò) mean?

好吃懒做 (hào chī lǎn zuò) means "fond of eating and lazy" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "fond of eating, lazy at doing."

Character by character

  • hào fond of
  • chī eating
  • lǎn lazy
  • zuò doing

When to use it

Often used to criticize or describe someone's negative work ethic and excessive indulgence in food or leisure. It applies to people who are habitually unproductive and prioritize personal comfort over responsibility.

Example

好吃懒做的小明总是想方设法偷懒。
Hào chī lǎn zuò de xiǎo míng zǒngshì xiǎngfāngshèfǎ tōulǎn.
Gluttonous and lazy Xiao Ming is always looking for ways to slack off.
Pro tip: The idiom highlights a character flaw combining two distinct negative traits: an excessive love for food and a strong aversion to work. It's a strong criticism of someone's overall disposition.

Related idioms

海誓山盟 · Eternal love vows汗流浃背 · Profuse sweating和蔼可亲 · Amiable and kind nature
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