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liviano

lee-vee-AH-noh/liˈβjano/

light

Also: lightweight
Latin AmericaSpain
A white feather floating gently in the air above a wooden table.

📝 In Action

Esta maleta es muy liviana, puedo cargarla solo.

A1

This suitcase is very light; I can carry it by myself.

Necesitas zapatos livianos para caminar por la montaña.

A2

You need lightweight shoes to walk in the mountains.

El aluminio es un metal liviano y resistente.

B1

Aluminum is a light and strong metal.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • equipaje liviano – light luggage
  • ropa liviana – light clothing

light

Also: easy to digest
A small white bowl containing a simple green salad with a few slices of tomato.

📝 In Action

Anoche cené algo liviano porque no tenía mucha hambre.

A2

Last night I had something light for dinner because I wasn't very hungry.

Una ensalada es una opción liviana para el almuerzo.

B1

A salad is a light option for lunch.

Después de estar enfermo, debes comer alimentos livianos.

B2

After being sick, you should eat light foods.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • digerible (digestible)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • comida liviana – light meal
  • dieta liviana – light diet

frivolous

Also: superficial
A colorful butterfly fluttering around a bright flower in a sunny garden.

📝 In Action

Tuvimos una charla liviana sobre el clima.

B2

We had a light/superficial chat about the weather.

No puedes ser tan liviano ante un problema tan serio.

C1

You can't be so frivolous/careless in the face of such a serious problem.

Es una película liviana para pasar el rato.

B1

It's a light movie to pass the time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • liviano de cascos – someone who is flighty, frivolous, or quick to change their mind

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: liviano

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly describes a 'light suitcase'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
liviandad(lightness/frivolity) — Noun
alivianar(to lighten/to ease) — Verb
leve(slight/light) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'levis', meaning 'light' or 'not heavy'. This same root gave English the word 'lever' and 'levitate'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: légerItalian: lievePortuguese: leviano

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'liviano' the same as 'ligero'?

Yes, they are almost identical in meaning. 'Liviano' is very popular in Latin America, while 'ligero' is more common in Spain. You can usually swap them without any trouble.

Does 'liviano' change if I'm talking about more than one thing?

Yes! For plural masculine items, use 'livianos'. For plural feminine items, use 'livianas'.

Can I use 'liviano' to describe a light color?

Not usually. For colors, Spanish speakers prefer 'claro' (e.g., 'azul claro' for light blue). 'Liviano' is strictly for weight, digestion, or personality.