空 (kōng) - empty & hollow

空Tone 1

kōng ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 穴

俊梁

空 · kōng

empty;

hollow;

void;

sky;

air;

in vain;

Buddhist concept of emptiness (śūnyatā)

emptyhollowvoid

Usage highlights

emptyskyairportairspacevacuum

Synonyms

  • 虚— empty, void
  • 无— none, nothing
  • 白— blank, empty

Antonyms

  • 满— full
  • 实— solid, real
  • 盈— filled, abundant

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The room is empty (房间是空的).
  • I'm going to the airport (去机场).
  • He looked up at the sky (看天空).
  • Don't waste time in vain (不要浪费时间).

Collocations

  • empty(空的)
  • sky(天空)
  • airport(机场)
  • air(空气)
  • space(空间)
  • vacuum(真空)

Idioms

  • Hollow words and fine speech(空话连篇)
  • Empty-handed(两手空空)
  • Castle in the air(空中楼阁)
  • Empty city stratagem(空城计)
  • Void and nothingness(空无所有)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Important concept in Buddhism representing śūnyatā (emptiness) - the idea that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence.
  • In Chinese philosophy, emptiness is often associated with potential and receptivity rather than mere absence.
  • Used in both literal (physical emptiness) and metaphorical (spiritual emptiness) contexts.

FAQ