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A2 adjective #3,500 más común 7 min de lectura

かるい

karui Top 3,500

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos かるい en 30 segundos

Explicación かるい in your Level:

At the A1 level, かるい (karui) is primarily learned as the opposite of おもい (omoi - heavy). Learners focus on physical objects. For example, 'This bag is light' or 'That book is not light.' It is one of the first i-adjectives you will learn to conjugate. At this stage, you should practice the basic forms: karui (is light), karukunai (is not light), and karukatta (was light). You will mostly use it in simple sentences to describe everyday items like clothes, bags, and food. The goal is to build the association between the sound 'karui' and the feeling of something having very little weight. You might also see it in very simple phrases like 'karui shokuji' (a light meal/snack). Avoid overcomplicating it with metaphorical meanings yet; just focus on the physical sensation of weightlessness and the basic grammar of i-adjectives.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use かるい in more varied contexts beyond just physical weight. You will learn to describe the 'lightness' of a workload or a 'light' cold (illness). You'll also start to see it used as an adverb (karuku) to describe doing things gently, like 'karuku osu' (push lightly). This level also introduces the comparison of two objects: 'A-wa B-yori karui desu' (A is lighter than B). You should become comfortable with using かるい to describe meals and the intensity of experiences. You might also encounter the kanji 軽い and should start recognizing it in simple texts. Understanding that かるい can mean 'slight' or 'minor' is a key milestone for A2 learners.

At the B1 level, you should be familiar with the metaphorical uses of かるい. This includes the common idiom 口が軽い (kuchi ga karui), meaning someone who can't keep a secret. You will also use かるい to describe personality traits, such as someone being 'light' (frivolous or not serious). In news reports or more formal settings, you'll hear it used for 'light punishments' or 'minor crimes.' You should also be able to distinguish かるい from its synonyms like usui (thin) or yasashii (easy). At this stage, you are moving from simple descriptions to expressing nuances about people's characters and the severity of social situations. Your ability to use the adverbial karuku in complex sentences, like 'karuku kangaeru' (to take something lightly/not seriously), should also improve.

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By B2, you are expected to understand かるい in a wide range of idiomatic and specialized contexts. You will see it in literature to describe atmospheres or 'light' prose. You will understand the nuance of 足取りが軽い (ashidori ga karui), meaning to walk with a light, happy step. You'll also encounter technical terms like 軽工業 (keikougyou - light industry) or 軽自動車 (keijidousha - light car/kei car). At this level, you should be able to discuss the pros and cons of being 'karui' (agile vs. shallow) in a debate or essay. You will also learn more sophisticated synonyms and how かるい contrasts with them in formal writing. The focus shifts toward the psychological and societal implications of 'lightness' in Japanese culture.

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At the C1 level, you delve into the subtle philosophical and aesthetic nuances of かるい. You might analyze how 'lightness' is valued in certain Japanese art forms or zen philosophy—the idea of being unburdened by worldly weight. You will understand complex compound words and obscure idioms involving the kanji 軽. In professional or academic Japanese, you'll use it to describe 'light' versions of software, 'lightweight' materials in engineering, or 'light' economic impacts. You should be able to detect sarcasm or irony when someone is described as かるい and understand the deep social consequences of such a label. Your mastery includes knowing exactly when かるい is the perfect word versus more specific alternatives like keikai or sosou.

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At the C2 level, your understanding of かるい is indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You can appreciate its use in classical literature or high-level poetry where 'lightness' might symbolize the fleeting nature of life (mujou). You can navigate the most complex puns and wordplay involving かるい. You understand how the word has evolved historically from Old Japanese and its relationship with other words in the Sinitic vocabulary (kango). You can use the word with perfect precision in any register, from the most casual street slang to the most formal legal or academic documents. For a C2 learner, かるい is not just a word for weight, but a versatile tool for expressing a vast spectrum of human experience and physical reality.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

かるい en 30 segundos

Karui is the standard Japanese word for 'light' in terms of physical weight, like a feather or a small bag.
It also describes things with low intensity, such as a light meal, a minor illness, or a gentle touch.
Metaphorically, it can mean 'casual' or 'frivolous,' and is used in idioms like 'kuchi ga karui' (can't keep secrets).
As an i-adjective, it conjugates to 'karukunai' (negative) and 'karukatta' (past), and is the opposite of 'omoi' (heavy).

The Japanese adjective かるい (karui), written in kanji as 軽い, is a fundamental word that every learner encounters early in their journey. At its core, it describes the physical property of being light in weight. Imagine picking up a feather, a balloon, or an empty cardboard box; the sensation of lack of resistance against gravity is exactly what かるい captures. However, like many essential words, its utility extends far beyond the physical realm into metaphorical, social, and sensory domains. In a literal sense, you will use it when comparing objects, such as saying your new laptop is lighter than your old one, or when you are surprised by how little a heavy-looking suitcase actually weighs. Beyond the scale, かるい is frequently used to describe the intensity of things. A 'light' meal (かるい食事) refers to a snack or a small portion that doesn't leave you feeling overstuffed. A 'light' illness (かるい風邪) implies a minor cold that doesn't require bed rest. In social contexts, it can take on a slightly negative nuance, describing someone who is 'light-headed' or 'frivolous' (口が軽い - literally 'light-mouthed'), meaning they cannot keep a secret. Understanding かるい requires a grasp of its versatility: it is the lack of weight, the lack of severity, and sometimes, the lack of depth.

Physical Weight: Used for objects that are easy to lift or carry. Example: Kono kutsu wa totemo karui desu (These shoes are very light).
Degree or Intensity: Used for symptoms, punishments, or tasks that are not severe or difficult. Example: Karui kega (A slight injury).
Dietary Context: Refers to food that is easy to digest or small in volume. Example: Karume no ranchi (A light-ish lunch).

このカバンは、見た目よりずっとかるいですね。
(This bag is much lighter than it looks, isn't it?)

When you hear かるい in a professional setting, it might refer to 'light work' or a 'light schedule,' indicating a manageable workload. In the arts, a 'light touch' or 'light color' uses this word to describe aesthetics that are not heavy, dark, or overbearing. It is a word of relief, of agility, and sometimes, of caution regarding someone's character. Whether you are at a department store checking the weight of a coat or at a clinic describing your symptoms, かるい is your go-to descriptor for anything that lacks 'omoi' (heaviness).

As an i-adjective, かるい follows standard conjugation patterns that are essential for A2 learners to master. To use it correctly, you must understand how it changes based on tense and polarity. When modifying a noun directly, it sits right in front of it: かるいかばん (a light bag). When used as a predicate (the end of the sentence), you add です for politeness: このかばんはかるいです. To say it was light, you change the final -i to -katta: かるかった. For the negative 'not light,' you change the -i to -kunai: かるくない. This grammatical flexibility allows you to describe past experiences or clarify misconceptions about weight and intensity.

昨日のテストは意外とかるかったです。
(Yesterday's test was unexpectedly light/easy.)

Present Affirmative: かるい (Karui) - It is light.
Present Negative: かるくない (Karukunai) - It is not light.
Past Affirmative: かるかった (Karukatta) - It was light.

Beyond simple weight, かるい often functions in adverbial forms by changing the -i to -ku. For example, かるく叩く (karuku tataku) means 'to tap lightly.' This is incredibly useful when giving instructions or describing actions that require precision rather than force. In comparative sentences, you might say AはBよりかるい (A is lighter than B). Mastering these patterns allows you to express not just the state of an object, but how actions are performed and how objects relate to one another in the physical world. Remember, even though it's a simple word, its correct conjugation is the hallmark of a proficient Japanese speaker.

In daily Japanese life, かるい is ubiquitous. You will hear it most frequently in retail environments. When a shop assistant hands you a coat or a pair of hiking boots, they might say, 'Kore, sugoku karui desu yo!' (This is really light!), emphasizing the comfort and high-tech material of the product. At the airport, staff use it when weighing luggage to reassure you that you haven't exceeded the limit. In Japanese kitchens, かるい describes flavor profiles. A 'light' soy sauce or a 'lightly' seasoned dish is preferred for highlighting the natural taste of ingredients, especially in traditional washoku. You'll also hear it in sports, where 'light footwork' (かるいフットワーク) is a common praise for agile athletes.

フットワークがかるいですね。テニスが上手そうです。
(Your footwork is light. You look like you're good at tennis.)

In the workplace, the word often surfaces during scheduling. A colleague might say, 'Konshuu wa shigoto ga karui desu' (Work is light this week), meaning things are quiet or manageable. Conversely, it can be used in weather reports to describe かるい雪 (light snow) or かるい雨 (light rain). Interestingly, in the world of social media and modern slang, かるい can describe a 'light' or casual interaction—something that isn't 'heavy' (serious or burdensome). If someone says 'Karui kimochi de yatte mita' (I tried it with a light heart), they mean they did it casually or just for fun, without overthinking the consequences. This versatility makes it a cornerstone of Japanese conversation across all ages and professions.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing かるい (karui) with あかるい (akarui). While they sound similar, akarui means 'bright' (referring to light/illumination), whereas karui means 'light' (referring to weight). Saying 'heya ga karui' when you mean 'the room is bright' will confuse Japanese listeners, as it sounds like you're saying the room itself has no weight! Another common error is using かるい to mean 'easy' in every context. While it can mean 'light' in terms of workload, if you want to say a math problem is easy, you should use やさしい (yasashii) or かんたん (kantan). Using かるい for a difficult problem makes it sound like the problem physically weighs very little, which doesn't make sense.

Furthermore, learners often struggle with the metaphorical use of 口が軽い (kuchi ga karui). Because 'light' is often positive in English (like a 'light' person), some might think it means someone who speaks beautifully or easily. In Japanese, it is almost always a criticism of someone who can't keep a secret. Similarly, describing a person as かるい人 (karui hito) often implies they are shallow or flirtatious, rather than 'light-hearted' in a positive sense. For 'light-hearted' or 'cheerful,' words like ほがらか (hogaraka) are better. Be careful with these nuances to avoid accidentally insulting someone while trying to compliment them!

While かるい is the most common word for 'light,' several alternatives exist depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. If you are talking about the thickness of an object (like paper or a shirt) rather than its weight, use うすい (usui). A shirt might be usui (thin) and therefore karui (light), but the two are not interchangeable. For something that is 'light' in the sense of being soft or gentle, such as a breeze or a touch, やわらかい (yawarakai) might be more appropriate. In professional or technical contexts, you might encounter 軽量 (keiryou), which is a noun/no-adjective meaning 'lightweight,' often used for high-tech materials or lightweight boxing divisions.

かるい vs. うすい (Usui): Karui is weight; Usui is thickness or color intensity. You have 'usui' soup (dilute) but 'karui' lunch (small portion).
かるい vs. やさしい (Yasashii): Karui can mean easy/light workload; Yasashii means easy to understand or kind. Use 'yasashii' for exams.
かるい vs. 軽快 (Keikai): Keikai means nimble, jaunty, or rhythmic. Used for music or movements that feel 'light' and energetic.

Another interesting comparison is with 気軽 (kigar), which combines 'spirit/mind' and 'light.' It means 'casual' or 'without hesitation.' You might invite someone to 'kigaru ni kite kudasai' (feel free to come/come casually). This uses the 'lightness' of かるい to describe a lack of mental burden. Understanding these synonyms helps you move beyond basic descriptions and start expressing the specific *type* of lightness you are observing, whether it's the physical weight of a feather or the casual atmosphere of a friendly gathering.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The kanji 軽 contains the radical for 'car' (車). Historically, it referred to a light carriage that was easy to pull.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /kaɾɯi/

US /kɑːruːi/

Heiban (flat) style: The pitch starts low and stays high for the rest of the word.

Rima con

Marui (round) Warui (bad) Surui (sly) Yurui (loose) Furui (old) Akarui (bright) Kurui (madness) Nitsui (boiling)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'ru' with a hard English 'R'.
Confusing the pitch with 'akarui'.
Making the 'i' sound too short.
Adding an 'n' sound like 'karun'.
Mispronouncing it as 'kawaii' (cute).

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

The kanji is common but simple. Hiragana is very easy.

Escritura 3/5

The kanji 軽 has a few strokes (13) but is standard for A2/N4 level.

Expresión oral 1/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Escucha 2/5

Easy to recognize, but watch out for 'akarui'.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

おもい (Heavy) あかるい (Bright) かばん (Bag) です (Is)

Aprende después

うすい (Thin) やさしい (Easy) おもたい (Heavy-ish) きびしい (Strict)

Avanzado

軽蔑 (Scorn) 軽快 (Nimble) 軽率 (Rash) 尻が軽い (Promiscuous)

Gramática que debes saber

I-adjective conjugation

Karui -> Karukunai -> Karukatta

Adverbial form with -ku

Karuku tataku (Tap lightly)

Te-form for connecting

Karukute kirei (Light and beautiful)

Noun modification

Karui kaze (A light cold)

Comparative with 'yori'

Kore wa sore yori karui.

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Ejemplos por nivel

このかばんはかるいです。

This bag is light.

Simple i-adjective predicate.

それはかるくないです。

That is not light.

Negative form of i-adjective.

かるいくつを買いました。

I bought light shoes.

Adjective modifying a noun.

りんごはかるいです。

The apple is light.

Basic subject-adjective sentence.

このペンはとてもかるいですね。

This pen is very light, isn't it?

Use of 'ne' for agreement.

おもいですか？いいえ、かるいです。

Is it heavy? No, it's light.

Adjective question and answer.

かるいぼうしがほしいです。

I want a light hat.

Adjective modifying a noun with 'hoshii'.

はこの中はかるかったです。

The inside of the box was light.

Past tense 'karukatta'.

かるい食事をしましょう。

Let's have a light meal.

Karui used for food portions.

風邪をひきましたが、とてもかるいです。

I caught a cold, but it's very light.

Karui used for illness intensity.

このノートパソコンは前のに比べてかるい。

This laptop is light compared to the previous one.

Comparative context.

荷物をかるくしてください。

Please make your luggage lighter.

Adverbial form 'karuku' with 'suru'.

かるい運動は体にいいです。

Light exercise is good for the body.

Karui used for physical activity level.

ドアをかるく叩きました。

I knocked on the door lightly.

Adverbial 'karuku' describing an action.

今日は仕事がかるいです。

Work is light today.

Karui used for workload.

もっとかるい色のシャツはありますか？

Do you have a shirt in a lighter color?

Karui used for color shades.

彼は口がかるいので、秘密を言わないで。

He has a light mouth (can't keep secrets), so don't tell him the secret.

Idiom 'kuchi ga karui'.

そんなにかるく考えないほうがいいですよ。

You shouldn't take it so lightly.

Adverbial use for mental attitude.

罰金は意外とかるかったです。

The fine was unexpectedly light.

Karui used for legal/punitive severity.

彼女は足取りもかるく、駅へ向かった。

She headed to the station with a light step.

Idiom 'ashidori ga karui'.

かるい気持ちで始めた趣味が、本業になった。

A hobby I started with a light heart (casually) became my main job.

Metaphorical 'light heart'.

この素材はかるくて丈夫です。

This material is light and strong.

Te-form for connecting adjectives.

挨拶をかるく交わしただけです。

We just exchanged a light greeting.

Karuku used for social interaction depth.

彼はかるい男だと思われている。

He is thought of as a 'light' (frivolous) man.

Karui used for personality criticism.

この小説は文章がかるくて読みやすい。

The prose of this novel is light and easy to read.

Karui used for literary style.

不況の影響は、この業界では比較的かるい。

The impact of the recession is relatively light in this industry.

Karui used for economic impact.

彼は尻がかるいと噂されている。

There are rumors that he is 'light-bottomed' (quick to act/fickle).

Idiom 'shiri ga karui' (can be sensitive).

かるいジョークで場の空気が和んだ。

A light joke softened the atmosphere.

Karui used for humor style.

責任をかるく見るのは良くない。

It's not good to view responsibility lightly.

Karuku miru (to underestimate/take lightly).

彼はかるいフットワークで相手を翻弄した。

He toyed with his opponent with his light footwork.

Karui used for physical agility.

かるいパニック状態に陥った。

I fell into a state of light panic.

Karui used for psychological states.

政府は事態をかるく見すぎていた。

The government took the situation too lightly.

Karuku miru in a political context.

その俳優は、かるい身のこなしで舞台を駆け回った。

The actor ran around the stage with light body movements.

Mi no konashi (body movement) + karui.

軽薄な言動は、信頼を損なう原因となる。

Frivolous words and deeds cause a loss of trust.

Keihaku (frivolous) - related to karui.

この新素材の採用により、機体のさらなる軽量化が実現した。

The adoption of this new material achieved further weight reduction of the aircraft.

Keiryouka (weight reduction) - technical term.

彼は冗談をかるくいなした。

He lightly brushed off the joke.

Karuku inasu (to parry or brush off).

その政策による負担は、決してかるいものではない。

The burden from that policy is by no means light.

Double negative 'kesshite karui mono de wa nai'.

彼女の筆致はかるいが、洞察は深い。

Her brushwork (writing style) is light, but her insights are deep.

Karui used for artistic style vs. depth.

彼は自分のミスをかるく受け流した。

He lightly shrugged off his own mistake.

Karuku ukenagasu (to shrug off).

軽快なリズムに乗って、彼はダンスを披露した。

To a light and jaunty rhythm, he performed a dance.

Keikai (jaunty/light) - advanced synonym.

存在の耐えられない軽さを、彼はその瞬間実感した。

In that moment, he realized the unbearable lightness of being.

Reference to literary themes.

彼の言葉はかるいが、その裏には冷徹な計算がある。

His words are light (casual), but behind them lies cold calculation.

Nuanced personality description.

軽妙な語り口で、彼は聴衆を魅了し続けた。

With a light and witty narrative style, he continued to captivate the audience.

Keimyou (light and witty) - high-level vocabulary.

伝統芸能における「軽み」の境地を理解するのは難しい。

It is difficult to understand the state of 'karumi' (lightness) in traditional arts.

Karumi - aesthetic concept.

彼は一命を取り留めたが、後遺症は決してかるくない。

He survived, but the aftereffects are by no means light (they are severe).

Euphemistic use of 'not light' for 'severe'.

その理論の欠陥を、彼はかるく指摘したに過ぎない。

He did no more than lightly point out the flaws in that theory.

Karuku shiteki suru (to lightly point out).

軽率な判断が、取り返しのつかない事態を招いた。

A rash (light) judgment led to an irreversible situation.

Keisotsu (rash/careless) - related to karui.

人生の重荷を脱ぎ捨て、かるい心で旅に出た。

Casting off the burdens of life, he went on a journey with a light heart.

Poetic/Literary use.

Colocaciones comunes

かるい食事

口がかるい

かるい風邪

かるい運動

足取りがかるい

かるい気持ち

かるい罪

かるい音

かるい挨拶

腰がかるい

Frases Comunes

かるく一杯

— To go for 'one quick drink' or a casual drink.

Kaeri ni karuku ippai ikou.

かるく済ませる

— To finish something quickly or simply (like a meal).

Chuushoku wa karuku sumaseta.

かるく見る

— To take something lightly or underestimate it.

Aite o karuku mite wa ikenai.

かるくあしらう

— To brush someone off or treat them dismissively.

Kare wa hanashi o karuku ashiratta.

かるく叩く

— To tap or hit something gently.

Kata o karuku tataita.

かるく流す

— To let something slide or not take it seriously.

Joukan o karuku nagasu.

かるく握る

— To hold or grip something lightly.

Raiketto o karuku nigiru.

かるく笑う

— To chuckle or give a light laugh.

Kanojo wa karuku waratta.

かるく会釈する

— To give a slight bow or nod.

Me ga atte karuku eshaku shita.

かるくパニック

— A state of slight or 'mini' panic.

Wasuremono o shite karuku panikku ni natta.

Se confunde a menudo con

かるい vs あかるい (Akarui)

Means 'bright'. Often confused because of the similar sound.

かるい vs やさしい (Yasashii)

Means 'easy'. Karui can mean light work, but yasashii is for easy problems.

かるい vs うすい (Usui)

Means 'thin'. A thin object is often light, but usui refers to dimension/color.

Modismos y expresiones

"口が軽い"

— Unable to keep a secret; talkative.

Kuchi ga karui hito ni wa hanasanaide.

Common

"尻が軽い"

— Fickle, promiscuous, or quick to act without thinking.

Shiri ga karui to omowareru yo.

Informal/Sensitive

"腰が軽い"

— Quick to take action; diligent and prompt.

Kare wa koshi ga karukute tasukaru.

Positive

"フットワークが軽い"

— Agile; quick to travel or meet people.

Kanojo wa futtowaku ga karui.

Positive

"筆が軽い"

— Writing with ease or a light style; sometimes implies lack of depth.

Kare wa fude ga karui sakka da.

Literary

"身が軽い"

— Nimble; having no burdens or family responsibilities.

Hitori-gurashi wa mi ga karui.

Neutral

"手が軽い"

— Skillful/quick with hands; sometimes implies light-fingered (stealing).

Te ga karui shokunin.

Niche

"気が軽い"

— Feeling unburdened or cheerful.

Shigoto ga owatte ki ga karui.

Neutral

"言葉が軽い"

— Words that lack weight, sincerity, or conviction.

Kare no kotoba wa karui.

Negative

"命を軽く見る"

— To disregard the value of life.

Inochi o karuku mite wa naranai.

Serious

Fácil de confundir

かるい vs あかるい

Similar phonetics.

Akarui is for light/brightness (illumination) or a bright personality. Karui is for weight or intensity of a situation.

Heya ga akarui (The room is bright) vs. Kaban ga karui (The bag is light).

かるい vs やさしい

Both translate to 'easy' in some contexts.

Yasashii is 'easy' as in 'not difficult' (an exam). Karui is 'easy' as in 'not heavy/intense' (a task).

Yasashii shitsumon (An easy question) vs. Karui shigoto (A light task).

かるい vs うすい

Physical properties overlap.

Usui is about thickness (a thin book). Karui is about weight (a light book).

Usui kami (Thin paper) vs. Karui kami (Light paper - though 'usui' is more common for paper).

かるい vs くらい

Phonetic similarity.

Kurai means dark. It is the opposite of 'akarui', but learners sometimes mix it with 'karui'.

Kurai heya (A dark room) vs. Karui kaban (A light bag).

かるい vs やわらかい

Tactile similarity.

Yawarakai means soft (like a pillow). Karui means light (like a feather).

Yawarakai pan (Soft bread) vs. Karui pan (Light bread - airy).

Patrones de oraciones

[Noun] はかるいです。

このほんはかるいです。

かるい [Noun] です。

かるいかばんです。

かるく [Verb]。

かるくおしてください。

[Noun] は [Noun] よりかるいです。

ペンはノートよりかるいです。

[Noun] がかるい。

口がかるい。

かるい気持ちで [Verb]。

かるい気持ちで始めました。

かるく見る。

相手をかるく見てはいけない。

かるく [Verb] に過ぎない。

かるく指摘したに過ぎない。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

軽さ (Karusa - Lightness)

軽量 (Keiryou - Lightweight)

軽率 (Keisotsu - Rashness)

Verbos

軽んじる (Karonjiru - To look down on/take lightly)

Adjetivos

手軽 (Tegaru - Easy/Simple)

気軽 (Kigaru - Casual)

Relacionado

重い (Omoi)

薄い (Usui)

易しい (Yasashii)

簡単 (Kantan)

軽自動車 (Keijidousha)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and retail.

Errores comunes

Heya ga karui. → Heya ga akarui.
The speaker wants to say the room is bright, but used the word for light weight.
Karui da. → Karui desu / Karui.
I-adjectives do not take 'da'. Use 'desu' for politeness or just the adjective.
Kono tesuto wa karui. → Kono tesuto wa yasashii.
Using 'light' for 'easy' in an academic sense is unnatural in Japanese.
Karukatta nai. → Karukunakatta.
Incorrect negative past conjugation. The 'i' changes to 'kunakatta'.
Kuchi ga karui (as a compliment). → Hanashiyasui.
Thinking 'light mouth' means 'eloquent' when it actually means 'gossipy'.

Consejos

I-Adjective Rule

Remember that 'karui' is an i-adjective. Never say 'karui da'. Always use 'karui' or 'karui desu' for the present tense.

Weight vs. Light

If you are describing a room's brightness, add an 'A' to get 'akarui'. If you are lifting a box, keep it 'karui'.

Personality Check

Be careful calling friends 'karui'. It might imply they are flighty or untrustworthy. Use it for objects or health instead.

Flavor Profiles

In Japanese cooking, 'karui' can describe a light seasoning. It's often paired with 'assari' (refreshing).

Secret Keeper

To remember 'kuchi ga karui', imagine words flying out of someone's mouth because they are too light to stay inside.

Flat Pitch

Try to keep your voice level. Rising pitch on 'ru' might make it sound like a question or a different word.

Kanji Radical

The left part of 軽い is 車 (car). Think of a light car that's easy to push to remember the kanji.

Retail Magic

Shop staff love the word 'karui'. If they say it, they are highlighting the quality and comfort of the item.

Cold Symptoms

When describing a cold at a pharmacy, 'karui' helps the pharmacist know you don't need heavy-duty medicine.

Gentle Movement

'Karui undou' is the perfect phrase for a morning stroll or stretching.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Car' being heavy, but this 'Kar-ui' toy car is so light you can lift it with one finger.

Asociación visual

Imagine a feather floating in the air with the word 'KARUI' written on it in glowing letters.

Word Web

Weight Feather Snack Cold Secret Agile Casual Shallow

Desafío

Try to find five things in your room that are 'karui' and say 'Kore wa karui desu' for each one.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Old Japanese word 'karushi'. It has been used since the Nara period.

Significado original: The original meaning was specifically physical weightlessness.

Japonic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when calling a person 'karui' as it usually implies they are shallow or unfaithful.

English speakers often confuse 'light' (weight) and 'light' (illumination). Japanese separates these into 'karui' and 'akarui'.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Japanese title: Sonzai no Taerarenai Karusa) Kei-cars (Light cars) in Japan Light novels (Raito Noberu)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Shopping

一番軽いのはどれですか？
もっと軽い素材がいいです。
持ってみると軽いです。
軽い靴を探しています。

Doctor's Office

軽い風邪です。
症状は軽いです。
軽く痛みます。
軽い運動なら大丈夫です。

Restaurant

軽い食事がしたいです。
軽く一杯いかがですか？
味付けは軽め（薄め）がいいです。
軽いランチメニューはありますか？

Airport/Travel

この荷物は軽いです。
重量制限はありますか？
中身は軽いものだけです。
カバンを軽くしたいです。

Social/Gossip

彼は口が軽いです。
軽い気持ちで言っただけです。
そんなに軽く考えないで。
彼は軽い人だ。

Inicios de conversación

"新しいスマホ、すごくかるいですね！どこのですか？"

"最近、仕事はどうですか？かるいですか、それとも忙しいですか？"

"今日はかるい食事がしたい気分なのですが、おすすめのカフェはありますか？"

"この冬のコート、かるくて暖かそうですね。どこで買ったんですか？"

"登山に行くなら、できるだけ荷物をかるくしたほうがいいですよ。"

Temas para diario

今日、あなたが「かるい」と感じたものは何ですか？（重さ、気持ち、仕事など）

「口がかるい人」についてどう思いますか？信頼できますか？

最近、かるい運動をしましたか？どんなことをしましたか？

あなたが持っている物の中で、一番かるくて大切なものは何ですか？

「かるい気持ち」で始めて、今も続いていることはありますか？

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, that is 'akarui'. 'Karui' only refers to weight or intensity. This is a very common mistake for beginners.

You say 'Karui kaze desu'. This uses 'karui' to mean the symptoms are not severe.

No, it is usually negative. It means someone is a gossip or can't keep secrets. If you want to say someone is easy to talk to, use 'hanashiyasui'.

The opposite is 'omoi' (heavy). For intensity, you might use 'hidoi' (severe) or 'shinkoku' (serious).

It's better to use 'yasashii' or 'kantan'. 'Karui' would sound like the exam paper itself doesn't weigh much.

It means 'to have a quick/casual drink'. It's a common phrase used when inviting coworkers out after work.

Yes, it is 軽い. It's an N4 level kanji that you will see very often.

Change the final 'i' to 'katta', making it 'karukatta'. For example: 'Kinou no kaban wa karukatta' (Yesterday's bag was light).

Yes, but it's more common to say 'taijuu ga karui' (body weight is light) or 'yasete iru' (is thin). Calling a person 'karui' usually refers to their personality.

It means 'light car'. These are small, fuel-efficient cars in Japan that have yellow license plates and lower taxes.

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