vacío
/baˈθio/
In Spanish, the word for void is vacío.
The term vacío is used to describe an empty space, a vacuum. In computing, different terms like nulo or inválido are used to indicate that a process is not returning a value.
Meaning: to make invalid or worthless (verb)
Which one should you use?
While vacío refers to a physical or figurative empty space, nulo is a formal alternative used specifically to denote nullity or invalidity, often in legal or bureaucratic contexts. In the field of computing, nulo or inválido are the appropriate terms for a void value.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈθio/
Did you know?
- In Argentinian steakhouses, vacío is not a void but a popular cut of beef from the flank. If you order vacío at a grill, you will receive a hearty meal rather than an empty plate.
- If you are describing a 'void' in a text, such as a missing piece of information, Spanish speakers often use laguna, which literally means 'lagoon'.
- The English word 'vacant' and the Spanish word vacío share the same Latin root, meaning they are linguistic cousins.
Examples in context
- Girar en el olvido me haces tú. Estoy en espiral en el vacío.You make me turn in the oblivion. I'm spiraling in the void.This sentence uses vacío to describe a figurative state of spiraling in a void.Tatoeba #9098811 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9098823 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Un hombre de pie en el acantilado estaba a punto de suicidarse saltando al vacío.A man standing on the cliff was about to commit suicide by jumping into the void.This sentence uses vacío to describe the physical void one might jump into.Tatoeba #966263 by Shishir, translation #1335931 by Shishir
- El contrato fue declarado nulo por falta de firmas.The contract was declared void due to the lack of signatures.
- La sala de reuniones está carente de mobiliario.The meeting room is void of furniture.
- Me siento vacío después de la ruptura.I feel empty after the breakup.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a legal document.
- ElenaMira este documento, Javier.Look at this document, Javier.
- JavierParece correcto, ¿está firmado?It looks correct, is it signed?
- ElenaNo, así que el acuerdo queda vacío.No, so the agreement is void.
- JavierTenemos que arreglarlo ahora mismo.We have to fix it right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vacío, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vacío, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
