空
kōng/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/
The English phrase "empty" is translated into Chinese as 空 (kōng).
空 is used to describe something that is devoid of content. This applies to both physical spaces, such as an empty room and abstract concepts, such as an empty promise or a void in one's heart. If you wish to express that someone has nothing at all, you may use the phrase 一无所有.
Meaning: devoid of content (adj)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between two different tones for this character. The first tone version, 空 (kōng), means "empty" or "void", whereas the fourth tone version, 空 (kòng), means "spare time" or "opportunity".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 空 as an adjective to describe a noun, it is common to add the particle 的 (de) to form 空的 (kōng de).
How do you pronounce it?
/kʰʊŋ⁵⁵/
Did you know?
- In Buddhist philosophy, the concept of 空 (Sunyata) does not just mean 'empty' as in a void, but represents the idea that all things are interconnected and lack a separate essence.
- The word 空 is used in the term 空调 (kōngtiáo), which literally means 'air adjustment' and is the common word for air conditioning.
- The word 空 shares an ancient root with the Tibetan word ཁུང and the Burmese word ခေါင်း, both meaning 'hole' or 'cavity'.
Examples in context
- 冰箱是空的。The fridge is empty.This sentence is useful for showing how to say a fridge is empty using 空.Tatoeba #13524024 by LeviHighway, translation #3771363 by Hybrid
- 箱子不是空的。The box wasn't empty.This sentence shows the negation of the adjective 空.Tatoeba #5555559 by verdastelo9604, translation #3737586 by CK
- 你的賬戶空了。Your account is empty.This sentence demonstrates using 空 in the context of an empty account.Tatoeba #5868149 by xjjAstrus, translation #70339 by CK
- 他的房间是空的。His room is empty.
- 这个杯子是空的。This cup is empty.
- 这儿没人。There's no one here.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yuting and Haoran are in the kitchen looking for snacks.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，零食袋子是空的。Hàorán, língshí dàizi shì kōng de.Haoran, the snack bag is empty.
- 浩然 Haoran怎么会这样？我记得还有。Zěnme huì zhèyàng? Wǒ jìde hái yǒu.How can that be? I remember there were some left.
- 雨婷 Yuting可能被你吃完了。Kěnéng bèi nǐ chī wán le.Maybe you ate them all.
- 浩然 Haoran对不起，我现在去买一些。Duìbùqǐ, wǒ xiànzài qù mǎi yīxiē.Sorry, I will go buy some now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 空, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 空, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
