懒惰 (lǎn duò) is a formal, slightly literary noun meaning 'laziness' — the habitual unwillingness to work, exert effort, or act promptly. It carries a mildly negative moral connotation, often implying a character flaw rather than temporary tiredness. The first character 懒 (lǎn) means 'lazy' or 'slack', while 惰 (duò) reinforces this idea with meanings like 'indolence' or 'apathy'; together they form a compound emphasizing persistent, ingrained idleness.

This word appears frequently in written Chinese — in essays, moral instruction, parenting advice, and self-improvement contexts — but is less common in casual speech, where simpler terms like 懒 (lǎn) or 偷懒 (tōu lǎn, 'to shirk') are preferred. It’s often paired with words like 克服 (kèfú, 'to overcome') or 避免 (bìmiǎn, 'to avoid'), highlighting its association with personal discipline and ethical growth.