viegls

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]

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

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. (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

5. (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

6. (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

7. (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

8. (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

9. (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

10. (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

11. 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

12. (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

13. easy, volatile (which happens quickly, without much resistance)

    viegla gāzes gaistamība ― easy gas volatility

    viegla uzbudināmība ― easy excitability

14. (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

15. (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

16. (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)

17. (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

18. 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

19. (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

20. (of punishment) light (not hard, not severe)

    viegls nosodījums ― light penalty

    viegls rājiens ― light scolding

21. (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

22. (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

23. (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

24. (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

• (of "light-minded"): vieglprātīgs

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

• vieglprātīgs, vieglprātīgums, vieglprātība
• vieglums