身軽(みがる)

みがる
na-adjective
agile; light; unburdened
1. light on one's feet; agile; nimble
Physically light and able to move quickly and easily. Describes someone who moves with agility.
年齢(ねんれい)の割(わり)に身軽(みがる)だ。
He is agile for his age.
身軽(みがる)に塀(へい)を飛(と)び越(こ)えた。
He nimbly jumped over the fence.
猫(ねこ)のように身軽(みがる)な動(うご)きだった。
The movement was as nimble as a cat's.
2. unburdened; free; traveling light
Having few possessions or responsibilities, making it easy to act freely or travel. Can describe a person with minimal luggage or minimal commitments.
荷物(にもつ)を減(へ)らして身軽(みがる)に旅(たび)をしたい。
I want to reduce my luggage and travel light.
子(こ)どもが独立(どくりつ)して身軽(みがる)になった。
My children became independent and I feel unburdened now.
身軽(みがる)な格好(かっこう)で出(で)かけた。
I went out in light, casual clothing.

身軽(みがる) is a na-adjective made from 身(み) (body) + 軽(かる)い (light). Has two distinct senses: physical agility, and being unburdened.

FORMS:

  • 身軽(みがる)な + noun: a light/agile ~
  • 身軽(みがる)に + verb: nimbly, lightly
  • 身軽(みがる)になる: to become free/unburdened

SENSE 1 — AGILE:

  • 身軽(みがる)に動(うご)く: to move nimbly
  • 身軽(みがる)に飛(と)び越(こ)える: to nimbly leap over
  • 猫(ねこ)のように身軽(みがる): nimble like a cat

SENSE 2 — UNBURDENED:

  • 身軽(みがる)な格好(かっこう): light clothing
  • 身軽(みがる)に旅(たび)をする: to travel light
  • 荷物(にもつ)を減(へ)らして身軽(みがる)になる: to lighten one's load
  • Also used figuratively: 子(こ)どもが独立(どくりつ)して身軽(みがる)になった (became unburdened after children moved out)

OPPOSITE:

  • 身重(みおも): heavily pregnant (literally "body-heavy")
general
Added 2026.3.5 16:58 · Revised 2026.4.2 19:36
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