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B1 adjective #1,500 가장 일반적인 8분 분량

leve

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설명 leve in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'leve' very often. You will mostly use 'pequeño' (small) or 'un poco' (a little). However, you might see it in very simple signs or hear it in basic medical contexts. Think of 'leve' as a more 'grown-up' way to say something is small or not a big deal. For example, if you have a 'pequeño' headache, a doctor might call it 'leve'. It's good to recognize it so you aren't confused when it appears in simple texts. Just remember: leve = not serious. It's like the 'light' version of something. If you see 'herida leve' in a news headline, it means the person is okay and the injury is small. At this stage, just focus on the idea that 'leve' means 'slight' or 'mild'.
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As an A2 learner, you are starting to expand your vocabulary beyond the most basic words. 'Leve' is a great addition because it helps you describe feelings and situations more accurately. Instead of always saying 'no es importante', you can say 'es un problema leve'. You will start to notice 'leve' in weather reports (una brisa leve) or when people talk about their health (un resfriado leve). It's important to start distinguishing it from 'ligero'. Remember that 'ligero' is for things you can pick up, like a bag, while 'leve' is for things you feel or experience, like a pain or a breeze. Using 'leve' makes your Spanish sound more natural and less like a direct translation from English.
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At the B1 level, 'leve' becomes a key word for your daily communication. You are expected to handle more complex situations, like explaining a medical issue to a doctor or describing a minor accident. You should use 'leve' to distinguish between different levels of intensity. For example, you can talk about a 'leve mejoría' (slight improvement) in your studies or a 'leve retraso' (slight delay) in your travel plans. This is also the level where you should master the contrast between 'leve' and 'grave'. In many official contexts in Spanish-speaking countries, things are classified as either 'leve', 'grave', or 'muy grave'. Knowing this helps you understand the seriousness of news reports, legal documents, and workplace rules. You should also start using the adverb 'levemente' to add nuance to your verbs.
For B2 learners, 'leve' is a tool for precision and professional tone. You should be able to use it in more abstract contexts, such as describing 'leves matices' (slight nuances) in a discussion or 'leves variaciones' in data. At this level, you should be comfortable using 'leve' in both its literal and figurative senses. You might use it to soften a critique in a professional setting, making your language more diplomatic. For instance, instead of saying a plan is flawed, you might say it has 'leves inconsistencias'. You should also be aware of its use in literature to create subtle imagery. Your ability to choose 'leve' over 'pequeño' or 'ligero' shows a high level of linguistic awareness and an understanding of register.
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At the C1 level, you use 'leve' with total control, often employing it in sophisticated ways to convey subtlety. You understand the stylistic difference between placing 'leve' before or after the noun. You might use 'un leve suspiro' to create a specific mood in your writing. You are also familiar with more technical uses of the word in fields like law, medicine, and science. You can discuss 'faltas leves' in a legal context with a full understanding of the implications. Furthermore, you can use 'leve' to describe very fine distinctions in philosophy or art. Your use of 'leve' and its derivatives (like 'levedad') is fluid and natural, allowing you to express complex ideas with minimal effort. You recognize 'leve' as part of a broader spectrum of adjectives that define the human experience of intensity.
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As a C2 speaker, 'leve' is a word you use with the same nuance as a native speaker. You are aware of its etymological roots and how it relates to concepts like 'la insoportable levedad del ser' (The Unbearable Lightness of Being). You can use it in highly specialized academic writing or in the most delicate poetic expressions. You understand how 'leve' can be used ironically or to downplay significant events for rhetorical effect. Your mastery extends to all its collocations and idiomatic uses. You can switch between 'leve', 'tenue', 'sutil', and 'imperceptible' with perfect accuracy, choosing the word that fits the exact emotional or physical frequency you wish to describe. At this level, 'leve' is not just a vocabulary word; it's a precise instrument in your linguistic toolkit.
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leve 30초 만에

  • Leve means slight, minor, or light in terms of intensity or importance.
  • It is commonly used in medical, legal, and weather-related contexts in Spanish.
  • It is the opposite of 'grave' (serious) and is distinct from 'ligero' (light weight).
  • It is an essential B1 word for adding nuance and precision to descriptions.

The Spanish adjective leve is a versatile term primarily used to describe things that are light in weight, intensity, or importance. At its core, it conveys a sense of minimal impact or substance. When you describe something as leve, you are signaling that it is not heavy, not severe, and certainly not life-threatening or catastrophic. In a physical sense, it can describe a touch so soft it is barely felt, or a breeze that only just moves the leaves on a tree. In a more abstract or medical sense, it is the standard term for 'minor' or 'slight'.

Physical Weight
Refers to objects that have very little mass, though 'ligero' is more common for literal weight. 'Leve' often implies a delicacy of touch.
Medical Severity
Used to categorize injuries or illnesses that do not require intensive care, such as a 'resfriado leve' (mild cold).
Abstract Importance
Describes mistakes, changes, or differences that are negligible or of little consequence in the grand scheme of things.

El paciente sufrió una herida leve en el brazo durante el accidente.

Understanding the nuance of leve requires distinguishing it from its synonyms. While ligero also means light, leve carries a more formal or clinical tone. For instance, in legal contexts, a 'falta leve' is a minor infraction, whereas a 'falta grave' is a serious one. This binary (leve vs. grave) is essential for B1 learners to master, as it appears frequently in news reports, medical dialogues, and formal documentation. It suggests a lack of gravity, both literally and figuratively.

Se sintió un leve temblor de tierra al amanecer.

Hubo una leve mejoría en las ventas este mes.

Un leve matiz de azul decoraba la pared blanca.

El sonido era tan leve que casi nadie lo notó.

In summary, leve is the go-to adjective for anything that is 'slight'. Whether it's a slight headache, a slight change in temperature, or a slight error in a report, leve provides the necessary level of formality and precision. It is an essential building block for moving from basic Spanish to a more intermediate, nuanced level of expression.

Using leve correctly involves understanding its placement and its relationship with the nouns it modifies. As an adjective, it must agree in number with the noun: leve for singular and leves for plural. Because it ends in 'e', it does not change for gender (e.g., un error leve, una herida leve).

Positioning
Typically follows the noun to provide a distinguishing characteristic (e.g., 'una brisa leve'). Placing it before the noun (e.g., 'un leve suspiro') can add a poetic or literary emphasis.
Comparison
Often used in contrast with 'grave' (serious) or 'agudo' (sharp/intense). It helps establish a scale of intensity.
Adverbial Form
The adverbial form is 'levemente', meaning 'slightly' or 'lightly', which is frequently used to modify verbs or other adjectives.

Ella sintió una leve presión en el pecho.

In professional settings, leve is used to downplay the severity of a situation without dismissing it entirely. For example, in a business meeting, saying 'hay una leve discrepancia' sounds much more diplomatic than saying 'estás equivocado'. It allows for a softer correction. Similarly, in medical reports, it provides a clear classification that helps triage patients.

Los daños materiales fueron leves tras la tormenta.

Notamos un leve retraso en la entrega.

Es solo un leve inconveniente.

When writing, pay attention to the flow of the sentence. Because leve is a short, punchy word, it works well at the end of a clause to provide a definitive but soft conclusion. In spoken Spanish, the 'v' is pronounced like a soft 'b', which can make the word sound very gentle, matching its meaning.

You will encounter leve in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the evening news to a visit to the doctor. It is a staple of 'official' language but remains accessible enough for daily conversation. Its presence in media is particularly high when reporting on accidents, weather, or economic fluctuations.

News Reports
Journalists use it to describe the impact of events: 'heridos leves' (lightly injured people) or 'leves descensos en la bolsa' (slight drops in the stock market).
Medical Contexts
Doctors use it to diagnose: 'una infección leve' or 'un traumatismo leve'. It is the first level on many medical scales.
Legal/Official
Traffic tickets or workplace warnings might classify an offense as 'leve', which usually implies a small fine rather than a major penalty.

El informe meteorológico anunció leves precipitaciones para el norte.

In literature and music, leve is used to create atmosphere. A 'leve aroma' or a 'leve luz' evokes a sense of subtlety and beauty. It is a favorite word for poets who want to describe the ephemeral or the delicate. If you are listening to Spanish ballads or reading contemporary novels, listen for how leve is used to describe emotions or sensory experiences that are just beneath the surface.

El árbitro consideró que fue una falta leve.

Siento un leve mareo, nada importante.

Había una leve capa de nieve sobre los coches.

Finally, in everyday social interactions, you might hear it when someone is apologizing for a small mistake: 'Fue un error leve, no te preocupes'. It serves as a linguistic cushion, softening the impact of negative information and helping to maintain social harmony.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing leve with ligero. While both can translate to 'light', they are not always interchangeable. Ligero is the opposite of pesado (heavy in weight), while leve is the opposite of grave (heavy in importance or severity).

Leve vs. Ligero
Don't say 'esta maleta es leve'. Say 'esta maleta es ligera'. Use 'leve' for things like 'una leve brisa' or 'un leve dolor'.
Agreement Errors
Even though 'leve' doesn't change for gender, it must change for number. 'Los problemas son leves', not 'los problemas son leve'.
Overuse
Learners sometimes use 'leve' when they mean 'pequeño'. While a 'leve error' is a 'small error', you wouldn't call a small dog a 'perro leve'.

Incorrecto: Tengo un leve perro. Correcto: Tengo un perro pequeño.

Another mistake is using leve to describe personality. In English, we might say someone has a 'light' personality, but in Spanish, leve doesn't quite fit there. You would use alegre or superficial depending on what you mean. Leve is strictly for intensity and impact.

Incorrecto: Esta caja es leve. Correcto: Esta caja es ligera.

No confundas leve con 'suave'. 'Suave' is for texture (soft).

Un error leve no es lo mismo que un error 'pequeño' en todos los contextos.

Finally, be careful with the adverb levemente. Sometimes students use it when they mean 'un poco'. While often synonymous, levemente is more formal. If you're chatting with friends, 'un poco' is usually better. If you're writing an essay, levemente is your best friend.

To truly master leve, you must see how it sits alongside other words that mean 'light' or 'small'. Spanish has a rich vocabulary for degrees of intensity, and choosing the right one makes you sound like a native speaker.

Leve vs. Ligero
Leve = slight/minor (intensity). Ligero = light (weight/speed). Example: 'Una leve brisa' vs. 'Un equipaje ligero'.
Leve vs. Suave
Leve = minor. Suave = soft/smooth (texture/sound). Example: 'Un leve roce' (a slight touch) vs. 'Una piel suave' (soft skin).
Leve vs. Tenue
Tenue is specifically for light or sound that is faint or dim. 'Una luz tenue' is more common than 'una luz leve'.

La diferencia entre leve y grave es fundamental en medicina.

In the realm of synonyms, you might also consider insignificante, nimio, or superficial. However, leve is the most neutral and widely applicable. Insignificante suggests that something doesn't matter at all, while leve just says it's on the lower end of the scale. Nimio is very formal and usually refers to details. Superficial refers to things that are only on the surface, like a 'herida superficial', which is often also a 'herida leve'.

Una leve sospecha cruzó por su mente.

El cuadro presenta una leve inclinación.

Prefiero un sabor leve a uno muy fuerte.

By comparing these words, you can see that leve is the 'Goldilocks' of Spanish adjectives for smallness—not too poetic like tenue, not too physical like ligero, and not too judgmental like insignificante. It is just right for describing the many slight things we encounter every day.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Adjective agreement

Position of adjectives

Adverb formation with -mente

Comparatives (más leve que)

Superlatives (el más leve)

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수준별 예문

1

Tengo un dolor leve.

I have a slight pain.

Adjective 'leve' follows the noun 'dolor'.

2

Hay una brisa leve hoy.

There is a light breeze today.

Brisa is feminine, but 'leve' doesn't change gender.

3

Es un error leve.

It is a minor mistake.

Singular adjective for a singular noun.

4

La sopa tiene un sabor leve.

The soup has a mild flavor.

Describes intensity of flavor.

5

Siento un mareo leve.

I feel a slight dizziness.

Common medical use.

6

El niño tiene una fiebre leve.

The boy has a mild fever.

Mild intensity.

7

Es una lluvia leve.

It is a light rain.

Synonym for 'llovizna'.

8

Vi una leve luz.

I saw a faint light.

Positioned before the noun for emphasis.

1

El coche tiene un daño leve.

The car has minor damage.

Used to describe physical condition.

2

Tuvimos un leve retraso.

We had a slight delay.

Common in travel contexts.

3

Ella tiene una leve ventaja.

She has a slight advantage.

Abstract comparison.

4

Hay una leve diferencia de precio.

There is a slight price difference.

Comparing amounts.

5

El paciente muestra una leve mejoría.

The patient shows a slight improvement.

Formal medical report style.

6

Fue un golpe leve en la rodilla.

It was a light blow to the knee.

Describes physical impact.

7

Escuché un leve ruido en la cocina.

I heard a slight noise in the kitchen.

Describes sound intensity.

8

La película tuvo un leve éxito.

The movie had a modest success.

Describes degree of success.

1

El médico dijo que la infección es leve.

The doctor said the infection is mild.

Predicate adjective after 'es'.

2

Se cometió una falta leve en el trabajo.

A minor infraction was committed at work.

Legal/Administrative term.

3

Sintió un leve temblor durante la noche.

He felt a slight tremor during the night.

Common for earthquakes.

4

Hay una leve discrepancia en los datos.

There is a slight discrepancy in the data.

Professional/Academic context.

5

El herido fue dado de alta por ser un caso leve.

The injured person was discharged for being a mild case.

Medical triage terminology.

6

Notamos una leve caída en las temperaturas.

We noticed a slight drop in temperatures.

Weather/Climate context.

7

El autor utiliza un leve toque de ironía.

The author uses a slight touch of irony.

Literary analysis.

8

Solo fue un leve malentendido.

It was just a slight misunderstanding.

Social softening.

1

La estructura presenta una leve inclinación hacia el norte.

The structure has a slight lean to the north.

Technical description.

2

A pesar de la crisis, el impacto fue leve en este sector.

Despite the crisis, the impact was minor in this sector.

Economic analysis.

3

El perfume dejaba un leve rastro de jazmín.

The perfume left a faint trace of jasmine.

Sensory description.

4

Hubo una leve controversia sobre el nuevo reglamento.

There was a slight controversy regarding the new regulation.

Nuanced social description.

5

Se aprecia una leve distorsión en la imagen.

A slight distortion can be seen in the image.

Technical/Visual context.

6

La noticia provocó una leve agitación en la bolsa.

The news caused a slight stir in the stock market.

Financial reporting.

7

El paciente padece una insuficiencia renal leve.

The patient suffers from mild renal insufficiency.

Specific medical diagnosis.

8

Sus palabras contenían una leve amenaza.

His words contained a slight threat.

Abstract/Psychological.

1

La reforma solo introdujo leves modificaciones al texto original.

The reform only introduced slight modifications to the original text.

Formal/Legal context.

2

Un leve matiz semántico cambia todo el sentido de la frase.

A slight semantic nuance changes the whole meaning of the sentence.

Linguistic analysis.

3

La pintura destaca por su leve gradación de colores.

The painting stands out for its slight gradation of colors.

Art criticism.

4

El fiscal calificó el delito como una infracción leve.

The prosecutor classified the crime as a minor offense.

Legal classification.

5

Se percibe un leve aroma a tierra mojada tras la lluvia.

A faint scent of wet earth is perceived after the rain.

Evocative/Poetic.

6

El estudio revela una leve correlación entre ambas variables.

The study reveals a slight correlation between both variables.

Scientific/Statistical.

7

Su rostro mostraba una leve sombra de duda.

His face showed a slight shadow of doubt.

Literary/Metaphorical.

8

La orquesta interpretó la pieza con una leve aceleración final.

The orchestra performed the piece with a slight final acceleration.

Musical terminology.

1

La levedad del ser es un tema recurrente en su obra.

The lightness of being is a recurring theme in his work.

Noun form 'levedad'.

2

El poema se desliza con una leve cadencia melancólica.

The poem glides with a slight melancholic cadence.

Highly stylistic.

3

Cualquier leve alteración en el ecosistema puede ser fatal.

Any slight alteration in the ecosystem can be fatal.

Scientific precision.

4

La sentencia fue revocada por una leve irregularidad procesal.

The sentence was overturned due to a slight procedural irregularity.

Advanced legal jargon.

5

El filósofo argumenta que existe una leve distinción ontológica.

The philosopher argues that a slight ontological distinction exists.

Academic/Philosophical.

6

Se advierte una leve ironía en el discurso del embajador.

A slight irony is noted in the ambassador's speech.

Political analysis.

7

La tela tiene un leve brillo que solo se ve a contraluz.

The fabric has a slight sheen that is only visible against the light.

Detailed sensory observation.

8

Hubo un leve repunte en la tasa de natalidad el año pasado.

There was a slight uptick in the birth rate last year.

Sociological/Statistical.

자주 쓰는 조합

herida leve
falta leve
brisa leve
error leve
mejoría leve
retraso leve
dolor leve
mareo leve
descenso leve
modificación leve

자주 쓰는 구문

en grado leve
de forma leve
heridos leves
casos leves
síntomas leves
sanción leve
leve ventaja
leve sospecha
leve matiz
leve contacto

자주 혼동되는 단어

leve vs ligero (weight)

leve vs suave (texture)

leve vs pequeño (size)

관용어 및 표현

"tener un leve aire a alguien"
"dar un leve toque"
"por un leve margen"
"en lo más leve"
"ni lo más leve"
"un leve respiro"
"leve como una pluma (rare, usually ligero)"
"sentir un leve cosquilleo"
"un leve asomo de"
"una leve pincelada"

혼동하기 쉬운

leve vs

leve vs

leve vs

leve vs

문장 패턴

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사용법

legal

Used for minor infractions.

medical

Always used for non-serious conditions.

physics

Rarely used for weight.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'leve' for physical weight (e.g., *maleta leve).
  • Forgetting the plural 'leves' for plural nouns.
  • Using 'leve' for 'soft' textures (should be 'suave').
  • Confusing 'leve' with 'libre' (free).
  • Using 'leve' to describe a small person or animal.

팁

Scale of Intensity

Think of 'leve' as the first step on a scale: Leve -> Moderado -> Grave -> Muy Grave.

Gender Neutrality

Don't worry about changing the ending to 'a'. 'Leve' works for everything singular.

Medical Accuracy

If you go to a Spanish doctor, use 'leve' to describe a pain that isn't too bad.

Diplomatic Language

Use 'leve' to soften corrections in business meetings.

The Soft V

Practice saying it like 'le-be' with very soft lips.

Common Pairs

Memorize 'falta leve' and 'herida leve' as single units.

News Keywords

When you hear 'accidente', listen for 'leves' to know if people are okay.

Adverbial Use

Use 'levemente' to describe how something changed slightly.

Leve vs Ligero

Ligero = Light (weight). Leve = Slight (importance).

Legal Context

In Spain, a 'falta leve' is like a misdemeanor.

암기하기

어원

문화적 맥락

Falta leve vs. Delito.

Used to minimize personal drama.

Triaje: leve, moderado, grave.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"¿Has tenido algún resfriado leve últimamente?"

"¿Hubo algún daño leve en tu casa tras la tormenta?"

"¿Crees que fue un error leve o grave?"

"¿Sientes una leve brisa hoy?"

"¿Has notado una leve subida en los precios?"

일기 주제

Describe a time you had a 'herida leve'.

Write about a 'leve mejoría' you've seen in your Spanish.

What is a 'falta leve' in your country?

Describe a 'brisa leve' at your favorite beach.

Reflect on a 'leve malentendido' you had recently.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, debes decir 'mi maleta es ligera'. 'Leve' se refiere a intensidad o importancia, no a peso físico.

El antónimo principal es 'grave', especialmente en contextos médicos o legales.

No, 'leve' termina en 'e', por lo que es igual para ambos géneros (un error leve, una herida leve).

Significa personas que tienen heridas pequeñas que no ponen en riesgo su vida.

Es más formal que 'pequeño' o 'un poco', pero se usa comúnmente en el habla diaria.

Se dice 'levemente', que es el adverbio derivado de 'leve'.

Sí, para describir una 'brisa leve' o 'lluvia leve'.

No. 'Suave' es para textura (soft) o un sonido dulce. 'Leve' es para baja intensidad.

Sí, un 'sabor leve' es un sabor suave o poco intenso.

Sí, aparece frecuentemente en las lecturas de nivel B1 y B2 sobre salud o noticias.

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셀프 테스트 30 질문

writing

Write a sentence about a minor injury using 'leve'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'There is a slight difference.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce 'levemente' correctly.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use 'leves' in a sentence about problems.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

/ 30 correct

Perfect score!

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