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Lyadh (Bengali: ল্যাদ) is a word or concept in Bengali that describes the act of doing nothing, being relaxed, and lazing around.^[1][2][3] Depending on the context, it can be translated as ‘indolence‘,^[4] ‘sloth’,^[5][6] ‘sleepiness‘,^[7] or a state of inactivity. It can also refer to a state of intentional unproductivity, lackadaisicalness, getting some rest, idling around, dawdling, or procrastinating.^[1][8][9] The Bengali expression lyadh khawa^[6][9] (Bengali: ল্যাদ খাওয়া; literally, ‘consuming laziness’^[10]) is often used to denote the act of experiencing, indulging in, or enjoying a state of idleness and relaxation.^[11][12]

Lyadh is an example of an untranslatable word, due to the lexical gap that prevents it from having a perfect equivalent in other languages.^[3][8]

Unlike the majority of words in the Bengali language, the etymology of lyadh is uncertain. It does not find mention in traditional Bengali dictionaries, and does not appear to share any roots or cognates with Sanskrit, Persian, or Arabic. The word, used as a slang or expression in Bengali, is believed to have originated during the late 2000s–early 2010s; it is possibly a corruption or adaptation of the English words ‘laidback’ or ‘lethargy’, albeit this is speculative and remains unconfirmed.^[4][10][13]

In Bengali culture, lyadh is considered an emotion or a state of mind, and a certain fondness for ‘laziness’ has become embedded in Bengali society.^[3][14] Unlike somnolence and lethargy, which sometimes carry negative connotations and are often associated with depression, apathy and weakness, lyadh is more intentional and guilt-free, and is usually associated with joy, pleasure and recreation.^[9][10] It is often described as the “art of doing nothing”.^[1][15] Bengalis tend to link indolence and idleness with the motto, “simple living, high thinking”; according to some, this inclination, however, arguably has adversely affected Bengal’s economic output and entrepreneurial ethos.^[16]

Lyadh can indicate a plethora of situations, such as lying on one’s sofa, leisurely reading a book, taking a siesta, listening to music, and gazing out one’s window, among others.^[1] It is also associated with adda culture, an informal Bengali tradition involving long, casual and unstructured conversations as part of a hang-out.^[14][17]

In 2020, Lyaad, a musical short film based on the concept was released. It was directed by Pradipta Bhattacharyya and stars Ritwick Chakraborty.^[7][18][14]

• The Italian expression dolce far niente (literally, ‘the sweetness of doing nothing’) is close in meaning to lyadh, and refers to the joy derived from being idle, slowing down, or relaxing.
• The Dutch word niksen (literally, ‘nothinging’ or ‘doing nothing’) refers to the art of doing nothing and being idle, and has been explored as a method to combat work-related health problems such as stress and burnout.