ligeramente
/lee-hair-ah-MEN-teh/
slightly
A single drop changes the surface only slightly.
ligeramente(adverb)
slightly
?to a small degree
somewhat
?fairly or rather
,a little bit
?informal measurement
📝 In Action
El precio ha subido ligeramente este mes.
B1The price has gone up slightly this month.
Estoy ligeramente cansada hoy.
A2I am slightly tired today.
El plan original cambió ligeramente.
B1The original plan changed slightly.
💡 Grammar Points
The '-mente' Ending
In Spanish, adding '-mente' to the end of a feminine adjective is just like adding '-ly' in English to describe how an action happens.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Placement in a Sentence
Mistake: "Using 'ligeramente' far away from the word it describes."
Correction: Place it right before the adjective (e.g., 'ligeramente alto') or right after the action word (e.g., 'subió ligeramente') for clarity.
⭐ Usage Tips
Sounding More Polite
Use 'ligeramente' when you want to give a criticism or bad news without sounding too harsh, just like saying 'a little bit' in English.
A feather touches the hand very lightly.
📝 In Action
Ella tocó el piano ligeramente.
B2She played the piano lightly.
Debes presionar el botón ligeramente.
B1You should press the button lightly.
⭐ Usage Tips
Physical vs. Abstract
While it usually means 'a little bit' for ideas, use it for physical touch to mean 'with a light hand'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ligeramente
Question 1 of 2
If your soup is 'ligeramente salada', what is the problem?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ligeramente' formal?
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, but it also sounds very professional in a business meeting or a news report.
Can I use 'un poco' instead?
Yes! 'Un poco' is more common in casual conversation, while 'ligeramente' sounds a bit more precise and polished.