Inklingo

How to Say "frivolous" in Spanish

English → Spanish

superficial

soo-pehr-fee-SYALsupeɾfiˈsjal

adjectiveB2general
Use 'superficial' when describing someone or something that lacks serious purpose, value, or depth, often implying a negative judgment.
A person standing in a very shallow puddle that only covers their toes.

Examples

Sus preocupaciones sobre la moda son muy superficiales.

His concerns about fashion are very superficial.

No seas tan superficial, lo importante es el interior.

Don't be so shallow; what matters is what's inside.

Su análisis del problema fue muy superficial.

His analysis of the problem was very superficial.

Using with 'Ser'

Use the verb 'ser' with this word when describing a person's character (e.g., 'Ella es superficial').

liviano

lee-vee-AH-nohliˈβjano

adjectiveC1general
Use 'liviano' to describe a conversation, activity, or personality that is light, easygoing, and not overly serious or burdensome.
A colorful butterfly fluttering around a bright flower in a sunny garden.

Examples

Tuvimos una charla liviana sobre el clima.

We had a light/superficial chat about the weather.

No puedes ser tan liviano ante un problema tan serio.

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

Es una película liviana para pasar el rato.

It's a light movie to pass the time.

Describing non-physical things

When describing a situation or a person's character, 'liviano' moves away from weight and describes a lack of seriousness or depth.

Liviano vs. Superficial

Learners often confuse 'liviano' and 'superficial'. Remember that 'superficial' usually carries a negative connotation of lacking depth, while 'liviano' is more neutral, describing something light or easygoing.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.