Light syllable

A light syllable is a syllable whose weight is one mora. Thus it is an open syllable which contains a short vowel. The English word city [sɪti] consists of two light syllables: [sɪ] and [ti]. A syllable longer than a light syllable is called a heavy syllable (sometimes also a superheavy syllable).

In some languages, closed syllables with a short vowel are also light. In others, syllables closed by a sonorant are heavy, those closed by an obstruent are light. (For details see the entry on heavy syllables.)

Other languages
German leichte Silbe