軽(かる)さ

かるさ
noun
lightness; light weight
abstractsize
1. lightness; light weight; lack of heaviness
The physical quality of being light in weight, or the degree to which something is not heavy.
このカバンは軽(かる)さが魅力(みりょく)だ。
The appeal of this bag is its lightness.
素材(そざい)の軽(かる)さと丈夫(じょうぶ)さを両立(りょうりつ)させた製品(せいひん)だ。
This is a product that achieves both lightness and durability of material.
登山(とざん)では荷物(にもつ)の軽(かる)さが体力(たいりょく)の消耗(しょうもう)に大(おお)きく影響(えいきょう)するので、持(も)ち物(もの)は厳選(げんせん)した方(ほう)がいい。
When mountain climbing, the lightness of your gear greatly affects how much energy you use, so it's better to be selective about what you bring.
2. lightness of manner; casualness; frivolity
A quality of being easygoing, casual, or lacking seriousness. Can be positive (approachability) or negative (superficiality).
彼(かれ)の発言(はつげん)の軽(かる)さが問題(もんだい)になった。
The frivolity of his remarks became a problem.
あの人(ひと)の軽(かる)さが好(す)きだ。
I like that person's easygoing manner.
彼女(かのじょ)の軽(かる)さのある話(はな)し方(かた)のおかげで、初対面(しょたいめん)の人(ひと)でもすぐに打(う)ち解(と)けることができる。
Thanks to her light, casual way of speaking, even people meeting her for the first time can relax and open up quickly.

Formed from the i-adjective 軽(かる)い by replacing い with さ, following the standard pattern for turning i-adjectives into nouns expressing degree or quality.

Sense 1 (physical lightness) is straightforward and always positive. Sense 2 (lightness of manner) is ambiguous — it can be a compliment describing approachability and ease, or a criticism implying lack of seriousness or depth.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 重(おも)さ: heaviness; weight — the antonym, formed the same way from 重(おも)い
  • 軽量(けいりょう): lightweight — a more technical, compound word used for products and materials
  • 気軽(きがる)さ: casualness; ease — specifically about attitude or atmosphere, always positive

Related Words

Antonym: 重(おも)さ (heaviness)
Compare: 軽量(けいりょう) (lightweight)
general
Added 2026.4.22 19:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
24500/24998_karusa