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Linda in Morelia

Jan 2, 2008, 3:53 PM

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me da flojera

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Today, my Spanish teacher used the expression, "me da flojera" and told us that it was a common idiom used in Mexico that is roughly translated as "I don't want to do it because it's too much work." He said he couldn't quite think of the correct English translation. My questions are: have you heard this expression and what do you think it means in English.

gracias, amigos,
Linda

jerezano

Jan 3, 2008, 5:51 PM

Post #2 of 11 (9215 views)

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Re: [Jim and Linda] me da flojera

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Hello Jim and Linda,

Me da flojera. In 18 years here in Zacatecas, not heard.

From the RAE: flojera.

1. f. Debilidad o cansancio.

2. f. Pereza, negligencia o descuido.

English would be "It makes me tired". or I don't want to do it.

Here in Zacatecas applied to other people is the idiom:

Él/Ella se pone flojo/a. Or Él/Ella es flojo/floja or flojero/a. To indicate that perhaps one should not hire the applicant as he/she has a reputation of not working too hard at any task assigned. This is usually accompanied with the unmistakable hand gesture to indicate lead "aguacates".

This is not quite so bald as perezoso/a but is a bit more polite with the same meaning.

So while I have never heard the idiom, I would understand it perfectly as described by your teacher and would conclude that the person saying it doesn't want to do the job, but may be forced by circumstances to do it anyway.

Adiós. jerezano

quevedo

Jan 4, 2008, 8:44 AM

Post #3 of 11 (9200 views)

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Re: [Jim and Linda] Laziness

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Flojera = laziness. Me da flojera, I feel lazy about it.

Feliz Año Nuevo,

Quevedo

Linda in Morelia

Jan 4, 2008, 12:33 PM

Post #4 of 11 (9192 views)

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Re: [quevedo] Laziness

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Thanks to Jerezano and Quevedo for your responses.

lamexicanita

Jan 7, 2008, 6:07 PM

Post #5 of 11 (9141 views)

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Re: [Jim and Linda] me da flojera

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Flojera=laziness, as Quevedo says. Me da flojera--literally, it gives me laziness. Eloquently stated in idiomatic English, I'm too lazy. For example, No saco la basura porque me da flojera--I'm too lazy to take out the garbage! As to commonness, my Mexican boyfriend and I use it all the time. It's a real gem of a phrase, packed with potent meaning, like all the other "me da's": me da coraje (it makes me mad), me da risa (I think it's funny/it makes me laugh), me da miedo (it scares me), me dan ganas (I feel like. Not in the sense of tener ganas de, but more of a sudden, unexpected thing, por ejemplo, estas viendo la tele y te dan ganas de ir al parque).

Linda in Morelia

Jan 7, 2008, 6:25 PM

Post #6 of 11 (9138 views)

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Re: [lamexicanita] me da flojera

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I really like your explanation and your other examples of the "me da..."

gracias.

sanchezfrank

Mar 18, 2008, 10:57 PM

Post #7 of 11 (8658 views)

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Re: [Jim and Linda] me da flojera

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All those explanations were correct. I hear the phrase constantly from my Mexican friends and in-laws as well as my Mexican husband. I always understood it to mean, "I don't feel like it...I'm too lazy."

When my husband wants to call someone lazy, he says "flojo."

pez222

Mar 20, 2008, 11:41 AM

Post #8 of 11 (8617 views)

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Re: [lamexicanita] me da flojera

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Can one say, "No me da flojera"? It would seem to me that this would be OK.

quevedo

Mar 20, 2008, 12:47 PM

Post #9 of 11 (8612 views)

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Re: [pez222] No me da flojera

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Muy bien.

Saludos,

Quevedo

stacheman101

Mar 30, 2008, 11:00 AM

Post #10 of 11 (8417 views)

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Re: [quevedo] No me da flojera

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Me da flojera: I've heard this expression fairly frequently with friends from Monterrey. --Jeff

tashby

Apr 18, 2008, 9:28 PM

Post #11 of 11 (8047 views)

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Re: [quevedo] Laziness

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"Flojera = laziness. Me da flojera, I feel lazy about it."

Thanks Jim and Linda, and Quevedo....this is my (current) favorite phrase ever!

¡Saludos!

Travis