# viegls
## Latvian
### Etymology

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.”

### Pronunciation

* IPA: [vìɛɡls]
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### Adjective

viegls (definite vieglais, comparative vieglāks, superlative visvieglākais, adverb viegli)
* 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
* 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
* 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
* (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
* (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
* (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
* (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
* (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
* (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
* (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
* 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
* (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
* easy, volatile (which happens quickly, without much resistance)
    viegla gāzes gaistamība ― easy gas volatility
    viegla uzbudināmība ― easy excitability
* (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
* (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
* (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)
* (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
* 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
* (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
* (of punishment) light (not hard, not severe)
    viegls nosodījums ― light penalty
    viegls rājiens ― light scolding
* (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
* (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
* (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
* (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

#### Synonyms

* (of "light-minded"): vieglprātīgs

#### Antonyms

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

#### Derived terms

* vieglprātīgs, vieglprātīgums, vieglprātība
* vieglums

### References

* ↑ Karulis, Konstantīns (1992) “viegls”, in Latviešu Etimoloģijas Vārdnīca‎ (in Latvian), Rīga: AVOTS, →ISBN