hueco
/ˈw̝eko/
The English word 'hollow' is translated into Spanish as hueco. Wiktionary also lists vano.
Meaning: having an empty space inside (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| hueco | /ˈw̝eko/ |
| vano | /ˈbano/ |
hueco is used to describe something that has an empty space inside. It functions as both an adjective meaning 'hollow' and a noun meaning 'a hollow space' or 'a hole'.
Which one should you use?
While hueco is the general word for 'hollow', vano is a specialized term used in architecture to refer to an opening in a wall, such as a window or door frame.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective hueco must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, so use the feminine form hueca for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈw̝eko/
Did you know?
- The word vano is a cognate of the English word 'vain', as both stem from the Latin vānus meaning 'empty'.
- The expression hacer un hueco literally translates to 'to make a hollow', but it is commonly used to mean 'making room' for someone in a seat or a schedule.
- If you describe a person as hueco, you are not talking about a physical hole but are implying that the person is shallow or lacks intelligence.
Examples in context
- El zorro se escondió en el hueco del árbol.The fox hid in the hollow tree.This sentence uses hueco to describe a hollow tree.Tatoeba #1623510 by hayastan, translation #63325 by CK
- Están huecos.They're hollow.This sentence uses hueco to describe something that is hollow.Tatoeba #10735260 by SeaLiteral, translation #2111279 by CK
- La lluvia forma charcos en los espacios huecos de las rocas.Rain formed pools in the hollow spaces on the rocks.This sentence uses hueco to describe hollow spaces.Tatoeba #5009145 by albrusgher, translation #26964 by frpzzd
- El tronco del árbol estaba ahuecado por dentro.The trunk of the tree was hollow inside.
- Esta llave está hueca.This key is hollow.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are looking at a decorative wooden log.
- MateoMira este tronco, parece que está hueco.Look at this log, it seems to be hollow.
- SofíaTienes razón, no pesa nada.You are right, it doesn't weigh anything.
- Mateo¿Crees que podemos guardar algo dentro?Do you think we can keep something inside?
- SofíaSí, porque el centro está totalmente hueco.Yes, because the center is totally hollow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hollow” translations and entries hueco, vano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hueco, vano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
