viegls

Latvian

Etymology

This word apparently resulted from the merging of two independent etymologies: (a) the same stem as liegs (“gentle, tender”), whose older form *liegvs apparently underwent metathesis to yield viegls, and (b) Proto-Indo-European *wey- (“to turn, to bend”) with an extra g, yielding *weyg-, from which Proto-Baltic *weig-, *wieg-, *wīg-, *wig-, from which, with a suffix -lo, Latvian viegls (cf. Lithuanian dialectal vìglas (“fast, lively, brisk”)); from the same stem also Old High German wihhōn (“to jump, to dance”), Swedish vicka (“to move here and there, to swing”). The meaning would have changed from “turning (easily, quickly)” to “fast, quick, light” and finally “light.”^[1]

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [vìɛɡls]

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Adjective

viegls (definite vieglais, comparative vieglāks, superlative visvieglākais, adverb viegli)

light, lightweight (which is not heavy, has low weight, low mass)
viegls grozs, spainis ― light basket, bucket

viegla nasta, krava, bagāža ― light burden, load, luggage

viegla bumba ― light ball

vieglas slēpes ― light(weight) skis

viegli dēļi ― light boards, logs

viegla augsne, zeme ― light (= loose, sandy) soil, earth

smāgākie priekšmeti arvien gulstas dibenā, bet vieglākie paliek virspusē ― the heavier objects always lie at the bottom, while the lighter ones remain on the surface
light, small (smaller, less important, less powerful than others of its kind)
vieglie ieroči ― light, small weapons

vieglie ložmetēji ― light, small machine guns

vieglie ķīmiskie elementi ― light chemical elements

vieglie metāli ― light metals

viegli, vieglie joni ― light ions

vieglā rūpniecība ― light industry

vieglā artilērija, kavalērija ― light artillery, cavalry

kopā ar vieglajiem kara kuģiem līdzi brauca smagie tirdzniecības kuģi ― together with the light warships came the heavy commercial ships
light (giving the impression of low weight, lightness, with a relatively simple, fine structure; showing agility, grace)
vieglas konstrukcijas tilts ― light (lit. light-structure) bridge

viegla gaita ― light (= fine, graceful) walk, pace

vieglas kājas ― light (= graceful) legs

viegli, sārti mākonīši krītot saules meitu saķēra ― light, pinkish little clouds caught sun's daughter (who was) falling

viņa viegla un jautra tecēja ap mums ― she ran, light and cheerful, around us

parādes balkons vieglā, vijīgā stilā, kas pilnīgs pretstats smagām svētnīcu būvēm ― the front balcony (is) in a light, supple style, the complete opposite of the heavy temple buildings

mani locekļi bija vingri un viegli, un miesa it kā bez smaguma ― my limbs were agile and light, and (my) flesh (= body) as if without weight
(of gases, fog, smoke, smell) light, thin (such that it is not saturated, thick, dense, concentrated; (of air) easy to breathe)
viegla dūmaka ― light haze, mist

viegli dūmi ― light smoke

viegli tvaiki ― light vapors

saule jau sildīja krietni, rasas tvaiki plīvoja vieglā migliņā ― the sun was already warming considerably, the dew vapors were flickering in the light mist

lejā mirdzēja zaļš ezers, un gaiss bija brīnum maigs un viegls ― below the green lake was shining, and the air was wonderfully soft and light
(of colors) light, with low saturation
vieglus, zaļganus apģērba toņus viņš izraudzījās tādēļ, ka šī krāsa piestāvot maniem brūnajiem matiem ― he (= my husband) chose light, greenish tones in his clothes because this color matches my brown hair

tīrās, vieglās, mierīgās krāsas bija gleznotāja emociju izpausmes līdzeklis ― the clean, light, calm colors were the painter's means of expressing emotion
(of cloth, fabric) light, thin; not very warm
viegls zīds ― light silk

viegla vasaras kleita ― light summer dress

viegls pulovers ― light pulover

es tev nopirktu siltu ziemas mēteli ar dārgu apkakli; un pavasarī citu, vieglu un gaišu ― I would buy you a warm winter coat with an expensive collar; and in spring another one, a light and bright
(of smells, tastes) light (not intense, not irritating)
viegls kafijas aromāts ― light aroma of coffee

viegla pelējuma piegarša ― light taste of mold

viegls skābums ― light acidity
(of substances, solutions) light, dilute, weak (not concentrated, not thick)
viegls buljons ― light broth

viegla marināde ― light marinade

viegls sālsūdens ― light salt water

vieglas cigaretes ― light cigarettes
(of food) light (easy to digest; not very nourishing)
viegls ēdiens, dzēriens ― light food, drink

viegls uzturs ― light food, nourishment

viegla barība ― light (animal) food

ieturēt vieglas brokastīs ― to have a light breakfast

vai jūs neēdat drusku par daudz? šī ir smaga, nepierasta maize, un arī skābie kāposti nav nekāds vieglais ēdiens ― aren't you eating a little too much? this is heavy, not (your) usual bread, and also the sauerkraut is in no way light food
(of activities) light (not demanding, which can be carried out without much effort)
viegls pārbrauciens ar slēpēm ― a light passage on skis

iešana bija viegla, kā par asfaltu ― the going was light, as if on asphalt

pa straumi ir viegla airēšana ― on the stream there is light rowing (= it is easy to row on the stream)

atpakaļceļš direktoram bija viegls, jo vējš pūta no muguras ― the way back was light for the director, since the wind was blowing from the back
easy (not difficult to solve, to decide, to learn, not requiring much mental effort to understand or appreciate)
viegls eksāmens ― easy exam

viegla mācību viela ― easy learning material

viegla mīkla ― easy riddle

viegla izvēle ― easy choice

viegls, nesarežģīts stils ― easy, uncomplicated style

aktrisei viegla, raita valoda, graciozas kustības... dzirkstošs prieks ― the actress (has) light, fluent language, gracious movements... (she is) a sparkling delight

uzdotie jautājumi ir pārāk viegli ― the questions asked are too easy

K. Krūzas dzeja izteiksmē skaidra, viegla, rūpīgi slīpēta, arī melodiska ― K. Krūza's poetry in its expression is clear, easy, carefully brushed, also melodic
(of situations) light, mild, slight (not full of consequences, not causing too many unwanted feelings)
vieglas nepatikšanas ― mild unpleasantness, trouble

viegls konflikts ― mild conflict

viegla nesaprašanās ― slight misunderstanding
easy, volatile (which happens quickly, without much resistance)
viegla gāzes gaistamība ― easy gas volatility

viegla uzbudināmība ― easy excitability
(of conditions, situations) light, easy (in which there are no difficulties, hardships, complications)
viegli dzīves apstākļi ― light, easy living conditions

viegla dzīve ― easy life

vieglas vecumdienas ― easy old age (lit. old days)

vieglās peļņas tīkotājs ― one who covets easy gain

vieglas laimes meklētāji ― seekers of easy fortune

tev gan ir viegla maize! ― you have an easy life! (lit. easy bread)

tā bija gaiša draudzība, silts saules stariņš, kas padarīja vieglākas dzejnieka dienas trimdas tālumā ― it was a bright friendship, a little ray of sun(shine) which made the poet's days easier/lighter in the distance of exile
(of mental states, their expressions) light (pleasant, associated with positive emotions; free, unconstrained)
viegls noskaņojums ― light mood

vieglas atmiņas ― light memories

man kļuva kaut kā viegli un labi ― I felt somehow light and well

viņi runājās vieglā tonī, un abiem bija patīkami ― they were talking in a light tone, and both felt well

Mārtiņš ir jautrs un runīgs; un no tā arī pārējiem vieglāks prāts ― Mārtiņš is cheerful and talking; and from him the others also get a lighter mind (= mood)

uz skatuves valda viegla, gaiša atraisītības atmosfēra ― a light, relaxed atmosphere reigned on the stage
(of weather) light, nice, pleasant
Oskaru apņēma silta, gaiša, viegla vasaras diena ― a warm, bright, light summer day surrounded Oskars

pavasara nakts allaž vieglāka un, lai arī mazdrusciņ, tomēr caurredzama ― a spring night is always lighter and, even if only a little bit, more transparent (= easier to see through)
(of events, processes) light (which expresses itself to a small extent; not intensive, not energetic)
viegls grūdiens ― light push, shove

viegls satvēriens ― light, easy grip

viegls roka spiediens ― light hand pressure

viegla pļauka ― light slap in the face

viegls glāsts ― light caress

viegls vējš ― light wind

viegla sarma ― light frost, snow

viegla krēsla ― light twilight

viegls kliedziens ― light cry

viegla sanēšana ― light, easy murmur

vieglas bērzu šalkas ― light birch rustling

viegla masāža ― light massage

kad Vītols pamodās, logā jau blāvoja viegla gaisma... ausa pelēks, miglains rīts ― when Vītols woke up, a faint light was already dawning in the window... a gray, foggy morning was dawning

vecmāmiņa ar vieglu āmura sitienu atšķir katram bērnam pa cukura gabaliņam ― with a light hammer hit, grandma cut off a little piece of sugar for every child

satumsa, un pa dēļu spraugām iezagās vasaras nakts vieglais dzestrums ― it became dark, and through cracks on the boards a light night chill crept in

reizēm augus var noskalot ar vieglu dušu ― sometimes you can wash (out) the plants with a light carnival
light, slight, mild (barely perceptible; not very significant; not fully expressed)
viegls ieskicējums ― light outline

viegls ietonējums ― light shading

vieglas laika maiņas ― slight weather changes

viegla novirze no normas ― slight deviation from the norm

viegla atkāpe no tradīcijas ― slight departure from tradition

viegls mirdzums ― slight, mild shining

viegls iedegums ― light tan

teikuma otrajā daļā intonācija pēkšņi mainījās, bija nojaušama viegla ironija ― the intonation in the second part of the sentence changed, light, mild irony was perceptible
(of mental states, their expression) mild (not intense)
viegls uztraukums ― mild excitement

vieglas bailes, skumjas, ilgas ― mild pain, sadness, longing

ar vieglu žēlumu ― with a little pity

ap viņa lūpām savilkās viegls, pieklājīgs smaids, bet acis palika vēsas ― on his lips a light, polite smile appeared, but (his) eyes remained cold
(of punishment) light (not hard, not severe)
viegls nosodījums ― light penalty

viegls rājiens ― light scolding
(of medical conditions, physical and mental processes) mild, minor (not involving strong physical pain, life danger; without complications; without psychological disorders)
viegls smadzeņu satricinājums ― mild concussion

viegls ievainojums ― minor injuries

viegla infekcija ― minor infection

viegla saaukstēšanās ― mild cold

viegla skleroze ― mild sclerosis

viegla depresija ― mild depression

divas dienas nogulējis ar vieglu drudzi, Ratis atkal ķērās pie darba ― having lain in bed for two days with a mild fever, Ratis started working again
(of sleep) light (not deep)
laisties vieglā snaudā ― to go into a light slumber

viņš gulēja vieglā miegā ― he slept a light sleep

izšķir dažādus miega stāvokļus: snaudu, vieglu miegu, vidēji dziļu un dziļu miegu ― one distinguishes several sleep states: slumber, light sleep, moderately deep and deep sleep
(of art, music) light (having an entertaining character)
viegla mūzika ― light music

plecīgākais, gaišmatains jaunietis, brīžam savelk lūpas kā uz svilpošanu... nevar zināt, vai tas ir simfonijas motīvs vai viegla deju melodija ― the more broad-shouldered one, a blond young man, sometimes puckered his lips as if to whistle... (but) one couldn't know whether it was a symphony motif or a light dancing tune
(of people, their behavior) light, light-minded, frivolous, careless
viegla attieksme pret dzīvi ― a light-minded attitude towards life

viegla daba par rītdienu negādā ― a frivolous nature does not provide for the future

un nelaime vien iznāca: radās bērns, un tēvs aizlaidās uz pilsētu... Anna negribēja tā gluži palaisties, lai gan kā sava vīra viņa vairs nevēlējās šā vieglā cilvēciņa, kam nekas nebija svēts ― and misfortune came: a child was born, and the father flew to the city... Anna did not want to just let things slide, but she no longer wanted as her husband that frivolous little person to whom nothing was sacred

Declension

indefinite declension (nenoteiktā galotne) of viegls

	masculine (vīriešu dzimte)		feminine (sieviešu dzimte)
	singular (vienskaitlis)	plural (daudzskaitlis)	singular (vienskaitlis)	plural (daudzskaitlis)
nominative (nominatīvs)	viegls	viegli	viegla	vieglas
accusative (akuzatīvs)	vieglu	vieglus	vieglu	vieglas
genitive (ģenitīvs)	viegla	vieglu	vieglas	vieglu
dative (datīvs)	vieglam	viegliem	vieglai	vieglām
instrumental (instrumentālis)	vieglu	viegliem	vieglu	vieglām
locative (lokatīvs)	vieglā	vieglos	vieglā	vieglās
vocative (vokatīvs)	—	—	—	—

Synonyms

(of "light-minded"): vieglprātīgs

Antonyms

(antonym(s) of “of "light, not heavy"”): smags, (rare) svarīgs
(antonym(s) of “of "light sleep"”): dziļš
(antonym(s) of “of "easy"”): grūts, sarežģīts

Derived terms

References

^ Karulis, Konstantīns (1992) “viegls”, in Latviešu Etimoloģijas Vārdnīca‎^[1] (in Latvian), Rīga: AVOTS, →ISBN

[1] Karulis, Konstantīns (1992) “viegls”, in Latviešu Etimoloģijas Vārdnīca‎^[1] (in Latvian), Rīga: AVOTS, →ISBN

[1]