hafif

Hafif is a term used in several languages to denote lightness or mildness. It appears in Indonesian and Malay as well as Turkish, with meanings that center on lightness in weight, softness of quality, or gentleness in behavior.

Indonesian and Malay: In Indonesian and Malay, hafif commonly means light in weight or in intensity, and it can be used for objects, sounds, or sensations that are not heavy or strong. It can also convey a sense of subtlety or mildness in non-physical contexts.

Turkish: In Turkish, hafif is a standard adjective meaning light or gentle. It is used for physical lightness as well as for mild or non-intense phenomena. The adverb form hafifçe means “lightly” or “gently.”

Etymology and related terms: The word’s usage across Turkish and Malay/Indonesian shows a common semantic cluster around lightness; etymologies point to Arabic roots meaning “light” through historical language contact.