How do you use "Lightweight" in a sentence?

Two drinks and you're done? Lightweight! Don't be such a lightweight. I'm a bit of a lightweight. He's a lightweight when it comes to spicy food.

Lightweight

Q: What does "Lightweight" mean?

Someone who gets drunk easily or can't handle much Person who can't handle alcohol or demanding situations. From boxing weight class meaning someone small/weak.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: Someone who gets drunk easily or can't handle much

酒量差的人、不经喝的人

Alguien que se emborracha fácilmente o no aguanta mucho

酒に弱い人、すぐ酔う人

술이 약한 사람, 잘 못 버티는 사람

Person who can't handle alcohol or demanding situations. From boxing weight class meaning someone small/weak.

不能承受酒精或挑战性情况的人。来自拳击重量级，意味着体型小/弱。

Persona que no aguanta el alcohol o situaciones exigentes. De la categoría de peso en boxeo, significa pequeño/débil.

アルコールや厳しい状況に耐えられない人。ボクシングの階級から来ており、小さい/弱いを意味する。

술이나 힘든 상황을 잘 견디지 못하는 사람. 복싱 체급에서 유래한 표현으로, 약하다는 뜻.

Examples

Two drinks and you're done? Lightweight!
两杯就倒了？酒量也太差了！
¿Dos bebidas y ya estás? ¡Qué poco aguantas!
2杯でもうダメ？弱いなあ！
두 잔이면 끝이야? 술이 약하네!
Don't be such a lightweight.
别那么不经喝。
No seas tan poco aguantador.
そんなに弱くないでよ。
그렇게 약하게 굴지 마.
I'm a bit of a lightweight.
我酒量有点差。
Soy un poco poco aguantador.
ちょっと弱いんだ。
나는 좀 술이 약해.
He's a lightweight when it comes to spicy food.
他吃辣的方面是个弱鸡。
Es débil con la comida picante.
辛い食べ物には弱いんだ。
매운 음식에는 약해.

Pronunciation

/ˈlaɪtweɪt/

Usage Guide

Context: drinking, ability, teasing

Tone: teasing, casual

✓ Do Say

Lightweight!
酒量差！
¡Poco aguantador!
弱いね！
술이 약하다!
Such a lightweight.
太不经喝了
Tan poco aguantador
そんなに弱い
완전 약하네.
Bit of a lightweight.
有点不经喝
Un poco poco aguantador
ちょっと弱い
좀 약한 편이야.

✗ Don't Say

Usually teasing
通常是调侃
Usualmente burlándose
通常はからかい
보통 장난으로 놀리는 표현
Can be self-deprecating
可以自嘲
Puede ser autodespreciativo
自虐的にも使える
자기 비하로도 쓰임

Common Mistakes

Usually about alcohol tolerance
Can apply to other things

Origin & History

From boxing weight classes. A lightweight is smaller, so metaphorically can't handle much.

Etymology: From boxing weight class

First recorded: Slang usage from 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Boxing metaphor; Drinking culture

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

LightweightSuch a lightweightBit of a lightweight