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"Maleantes" is a form of "maleante", a noun which is often translated as "criminal". "Vagos" is a form of "vago", an adjective which is often translated as "lazy". Learn more about the difference between "maleantes" and "vagos" below.
el maleante, la maleante, maleante()
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (thug)
a. criminal
Un grupo de maleantes robaron el banco ayer.A group of criminals robbed the bank yesterday.
El candidato acusó a su oponente de ser un maleante de cuello blanco.The candidate accused his opponent of being a white-collar criminal.
b. crook
Ese tipo es un maleante peligroso buscado por las autoridades.That guy is a dangerous crook wanted by the authorities.
vago, el vago, la vaga()
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
2. (imprecise)
a. vague
No me resulta nada útil esa vaga explicación.I don't find that vague explanation at all useful.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
3. (idler)
a. slacker (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Los vagos son un lastre.Slackers are a burden.
