Fiaca
Laziness, zero motivation — that heavy feeling of not wanting to do anything.
Related lesson: Argentine Spanish — A Survival Guide.
Hear it in context
Hoy no salgo, tengo una fiaca tremenda.
I'm not going out today, I really can't be bothered.
Me da fiaca cocinar esta noche.
I can't be bothered to cook tonight.
Tengo que estudiar pero me agarró la fiaca.
I have to study but laziness has taken over.
What It Actually Means
Fiaca is that specific, untranslatable feeling of not wanting to do anything — heavier than simple tiredness, closer to “I can’t be bothered” or a deep bout of laziness. There’s no single-word English equivalent, which is exactly why it’s worth knowing.
Where It Comes From
Like laburo, fiaca traces back to Italian immigration — from the Italian fiacca, meaning weakness or listlessness. It’s now fully naturalized Argentine Spanish, heard daily across all ages.
Common Constructions
- Tener fiaca — to feel lazy/unmotivated: “Tengo fiaca de todo hoy.”
- Dar fiaca — something induces laziness, gustar-style: “Me da fiaca salir con este frío.”
- Agarrar la fiaca — laziness “grabs” you: “Me agarró la fiaca a media tarde.”
Common Pitfall
Fiaca is casual and mild — it describes a passing mood, not a character trait, so calling someone “un fiaca” as a permanent label can land as more of an insult than the word itself usually carries.