ligeira

Ligeira is the feminine form of the Portuguese adjective ligeiro. It is used to describe something light in weight, quick in movement, or not heavy in content. It can refer to a person as agile or brisk, a movement as swift, or a task as easy or not burdensome. In figurative use, ligeira can also imply brevity or superficiality depending on the context.

Usage and senses

- Physical: uma coisa ligeira describes a light-weight object; uma pessoa ligeira suggests someone who moves quickly or acts with agility.

- Temporal or procedural: uma solução ou um procedimento ligeiro can mean quick or uncomplicated.

- Figurativo: in some contexts, ligeira may carry nuances of superficialidade or lack of depth, though this depends on tone and register.

Etymology and related forms

The feminine ligeira derives from the masculine ligeiro, sharing a root related to lightness or speed. Common synonyms include leve, ágil, rápido; antonyms include pesado, lento, moroso.

Notes

Ligeira is standard in both European and Brazilian Portuguese and does not denote a specific place or widely recognized institution on its own. As with many adjectives, its precise nuance depends on context, tone, and the noun it modifies.