Meaning of "dawdling" in English

"Dawdling" refers to the act of wasting time or moving slowly without any sense of urgency. It is often used to describe someone who is taking longer than necessary to complete a task because they are procrastinating or being indecisive. This behavior can be seen as a lack of efficiency as it leads to delays. The word often carries a mildly negative connotation, implying laziness or a lack of motivation. It can be applied in various contexts, such as work environments, daily routines, or personal activities, highlighting inefficiency or inaction.

Meaning of "traînasser" in French

In French, "traînasser" conveys a similar meaning to "dawdling," describing the action of loitering or wasting time through slow or aimless behavior. It reflects a lack of urgency or purpose in one’s actions, often implying unnecessary delays due to procrastination or distraction. The term is typically used in informal contexts where someone is perceived as not being productive or taking longer than necessary to complete a task. Like its English counterpart, "traînasser" carries a mild negative connotation, suggesting laziness or the absence of focused effort.

Pronunciation of "dawdling" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈdɔː.dl.ɪŋ/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "dawdling" remains consistent across various English-speaking regions, including the United States and the United Kingdom. In general, the emphasis is on the first syllable, "daw," pronounced with a broad "aw" sound, similar to "law."

Pronunciation of "traînasser" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /tʁɛ.na.se/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "traînasser" is consistent across different French-speaking regions. The "tr" is pronounced with a rolled "r," typical of French, and the "in" is nasalized, giving it a distinct French sound.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. She spent the whole morning dawdling in the garden.
    (Elle a passé toute la matinée à traînasser dans le jardin.)

  2. Stop dawdling and finish your homework.
    (Arrête de traînasser et finis tes devoirs.)

  3. We missed the bus because he was dawdling.
    (Nous avons raté le bus parce qu'il traînassait.)

  4. The children were dawdling on their way to school.
    (Les enfants traînassaient sur le chemin de l'école.)

  5. I hate it when people are dawdling in the shopping aisles.
    (Je déteste quand les gens traînassent dans les allées des magasins.)

  6. Instead of dawdling, she decided to tackle her tasks right away.
    (Au lieu de traînasser, elle a décidé de s'attaquer à ses tâches immédiatement.)

  7. He's always dawdling and making us late.
    (Il traînasse toujours et nous met en retard.)

  8. Dawdling in the mornings can ruin the entire day's schedule.
    (Traînasser le matin peut ruiner l'emploi du temps de toute la journée.)

  9. The tourists were dawdling at the museum, appreciating every detail.
    (Les touristes traînassaient au musée, appréciant chaque détail.)

  10. Her dawdling cost us the opportunity to see the concert.
    (Son traînasser nous a fait rater l'occasion de voir le concert.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "dawdling" in English

Synonyms: loitering, lingering, procrastinating, delaying, idling, tarrying, stalling, slackening, dragging, dilly-dallying.

Antonyms: hastening, hurrying, rushing, speeding, expediting, advancing, quickening, accelerating, dashing, bustling.

Similar Words: poking, meandering, straggling, rambling, sauntering, ambling, wandering, loitering, lounging, idling.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "traînasser" in French

Synonyms: lambiner, flâner, musarder, paresser, trainer, déambuler, flânoter, s'attarder, baguenauder, lézarder.

Antonyms: se dépêcher, se hâter, se presser, accélérer, speeder, foncer, progresser, avancer, galoper, s'activer.

Similar Words: flâner, vagabonder, déambuler, errer, vadrouiller, baguenauder, glandouiller, moisir, s'attarder, flânoter.

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