(kuǎn) - Hollow, cavity, empty space & also means the key points or essentials of

Tone 3

kuǎn | 17 strokes | radical:

· kuǎn

Hollow, cavity, empty space;

also means the key points or essentials of something;

in ancient texts, refers to the joints or gaps in bones.

Hollow, cavity, empty spacealso means the key points or essentials ofin ancient texts, refers to the joints or

Usage highlights

Hollow spaceTo the pointBone cavityKey pointsEmpty talkWood cavity

Synonyms

  • empty, hollow
  • cave, hole
  • cavity, cave

Antonyms

  • solid, full
  • filled, complete

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The hollow of the tree(树窾)
  • He spoke to the point(中窾)
  • The joints in animal bones(骨节之窾)
  • An empty vessel(窾木)

Collocations

  • Hollow space(空窾)
  • To the point(中窾)
  • Bone cavity(骨窾)
  • Key points(窾要)
  • Empty talk(窾言)
  • Wood cavity(木窾)

Idioms

  • Hitting the hollow, avoiding the solid(批亢捣虚)
  • Striking the joints, following the natural lines(批郤导窾)
  • Knowing the essentials(知窾)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originates from classical Chinese medical and philosophical texts describing the hollow spaces in bones and natural objects.
  • Used in Daoist philosophy to represent emptiness and receptivity, following the concept of 'usefulness of the empty'.
  • Appears in military strategy texts describing attacking vulnerable points.

FAQ