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怠ける

namakeru
verb★Beginner— to slack off
informal

To neglect one's duties or responsibilities, often by avoiding work or effort

宿題を怠けて遊んでしまった

I slacked off and played instead of doing my homework

彼は最近仕事を怠けることが多い

He's been slacking off at work a lot lately

💡

Often used to describe someone who is lazy or avoids responsibilities

Collocations

仕事を怠けるto slack off at work勉強を怠けるto neglect studying責任を怠けるto shirk responsibility

Synonyms

サボる手を抜く怠慢する

Antonyms

努力する真面目にやる責任を果たす

Related Phrases

怠け者phrase
slacker
怠け心phrase
laziness

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

This verb is often used with the object particle 'を' followed by the activity being neglected (e.g., 仕事を怠ける - to slack off at work).

⚡Gold Rule

Negative Connotation

This word generally has a negative connotation, implying that someone is avoiding their duties or responsibilities.

📖Word Origin

From Middle Japanese 'なまける' (to be lazy), derived from 'なまし' (to be soft or weak)

📝Usage Notes

Often used in informal contexts to describe someone who is avoiding work or responsibilities. Can be used both for oneself and others.

Word Breakdown

怠
neglect, laziness
root
+
ける
to do (verb suffix)
suffix
和英辞典

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