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light

lait/laɪt/

“light” means “low-calorie” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

low-calorie

Also: diet, low-fat
Adjectivem or fA1
Latin America
A refreshing glass of sparkling water with a slice of lime and a small green salad on a white plate.

📝 In Action

Prefiero tomar una coca-cola light.

A1

I prefer to have a diet coke.

Compré queso light para la ensalada.

A2

I bought low-fat cheese for the salad.

Esta mayonesa es light pero sabe muy bien.

A2

This mayonnaise is low-calorie but it tastes very good.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • dietético (dietetic)
  • bajo en calorías (low-calorie)

Antonyms

  • normal (regular/original)
  • entero (full-fat (usually for milk))

Common Collocations

  • refresco light – diet soda
  • versión light – low-calorie version
  • producto light – diet product

mild / soft

Also: superficial, easy-going
Adjectivem or fB1informal
A gentle, pastel-colored feather floating softly in the air against a pale blue background.

📝 In Action

Vimos una película light para relajarnos.

B1

We watched a light/easy movie to relax.

Fue una discusión muy light, no hubo problemas.

B2

It was a very mild discussion; there were no problems.

Me gusta el rock light, nada muy ruidoso.

B1

I like soft rock, nothing too noisy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • música light – easy-listening music
  • contenido light – lightweight/simple content

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "light" in Spanish:

diet→easy-going→low-calorie→low-fat→superficial→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: light

Question 1 of 3

If you want a soda with no sugar, what should you ask for?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ligero(lightweight) — Adjective
adelgazar(to lose weight) — Verb
📚 Etymology▼

Borrowed directly from the English word 'light' during the late 20th century, specifically to market diet products.

First recorded: 1980s (commercial boom)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'light' mean the same as 'ligero'?

Not exactly. 'Ligero' usually refers to physical weight (a light backpack) or a light meal that isn't heavy on the stomach. 'Light' specifically refers to low-calorie or diet versions of products.

Can I use 'light' to mean 'illumination' or 'a lamp'?

No. For illumination or the thing that shines, you must use the Spanish word 'luz'.

Is 'light' considered a 'real' Spanish word?

Yes, it is included in the official dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) because it is so commonly used, though it is marked as an anglicism.