空の
kara no
The English word 'empty' can be translated into Japanese as 空の (kara no) or 空っぽな.
Meaning: devoid of content (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 空の | kara no |
| 空っぽな | karappo na |
Both terms describe being devoid of content. However, if you mean that something is 'vacant' or 'available', such as a seat or a room, you should use the term 空き instead of 空の.
Which one should you use?
空っぽな is more colloquial and emphasizes a sense of being completely hollow or void compared to the more neutral 空の.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
空の is a noun-modifying form that uses the particle の to describe a following noun, such as an empty container. 空っぽな is a na-adjective, which means it can be used to modify nouns directly or end a sentence when used with the copula, such as 空っぽだ.
How do you pronounce it?
kara no
Did you know?
- To say a stomach is 'empty' and hungry, Japanese people often use 腹が減った (hara ga hetta), which literally means 'the belly has decreased' rather than using a word for 'empty'.
- In Buddhist philosophy, which heavily influenced Japanese language, the concept of 空 (kū) refers to 'emptiness' or 'void'. It describes the idea that all things are empty of a permanent, independent self.
- The term 空回り (karamawari) uses the word for 'empty' to describe a wheel spinning without grip. Metaphorically, it is used when someone's efforts are wasted or they are 'spinning their wheels' without progress.
Examples in context
- 空のUSBが要りますよ。You'll need an empty USB stick.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 空の to modify a noun.Tatoeba #11582501 by small_snow, translation #9358912 by megamanenm
- 僕の水筒、空っぽなんだけど。My water bottle is empty.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 空っぽな to describe a state.Tatoeba #9676057 by small_snow, translation #9200842 by Cabo
- テーブルに空のワインボトルが３本あった。There were three empty wine bottles on the table.Tatoeba #8608690 by small_snow, translation #3454099 by CK
- 彼は希望を持つことなく、空虚な生活を送っていました。He lived an empty life without any hope.
- 扉を開けると、部屋はからっぽでした。When I opened the door, the room was empty.
- 部屋の引き出しは空っぽだった。The drawer in the room was empty.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A kitchen where Yui and Kenta are preparing for a meal.
- 結衣 Yui冷蔵庫、空の容器ばかりだね。Reizōko, kara no yōki bakari dane.The fridge is just full of empty containers.
- 健太 Kentaごめん、買い出しに行ってくるよ。Gomen, kaidashi ni itte kuru yo.Sorry, I will go grocery shopping.
- 結衣 Yui卵も切らしてるからお願いね。Tamago mo kirashiteru kara onegai ne.We are out of eggs too, so please.
- 健太 Kentaわかった、すぐ戻るよ。Wakatta, sugu modoru yo.Got it, I will be back soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “empty” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
