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B1 adjective 9 min de lectura

空虚

kongxu

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 空虚 en 30 segundos

Explicación 空虚 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '空虚' (kōngxū) often. It is a big word for a beginner. Instead, you usually learn '空' (kōng), which means 'empty' like an empty glass or an empty room. If you want to say you feel sad or alone, you might use '不开心' (not happy) or '一个人' (alone). Think of '空虚' as a more advanced way to say your heart feels like an empty box. For now, focus on physical emptiness. If you see this word, just remember it means 'empty' in a sad, emotional way. You won't find it in basic shopping or greeting lessons.

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At the A2 level, you might start seeing '空虚' in simple stories or songs. It's an adjective. You can use it to describe a feeling when you have nothing to do and you feel a bit sad about it. It is different from '无聊' (wúliáo - bored). '无聊' is when you want to play but have no game. '空虚' is when you feel your life is missing something important. A common sentence is '我觉得很空虚' (I feel very empty). Remember, don't use it for your 'empty' coffee cup! Use '空的' for that. '空虚' is for your feelings.

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At the B1 level, you should understand the distinction between '精神空虚' (spiritual emptiness) and '生活空虚' (an empty life). This word is common in discussions about feelings and modern life. You might use it to describe how someone feels after they finish a very long, exciting project and now don't know what to do next. It often follows adverbs of degree like '非常' or '很'. You should also know the antonym '充实' (chōngshí - fulfilling/full). A B1 learner should be able to explain why a character in a movie feels '空虚' (e.g., because they have no friends or no goals).

At the B2 level, you can use '空虚' to discuss social issues and more complex psychological states. You should be able to use it as an attributive, such as '空虚的内容' (hollow content) when critiquing a speech or an essay. You will encounter this word in literature and more formal news reports, perhaps describing the 'hollowed out' feeling of society or the 'emptiness' of consumerism. You should also be familiar with collocations like '填补空虚' (to fill the void). At this level, you should distinguish '空虚' from '寂寞' (lonely) and '空洞' (hollow/superficial) in nuanced discussions.

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At the C1 level, you should master the literary and philosophical applications of '空虚'. You might find it in classical poetry or modern existentialist essays. It can describe not just a person, but a historical period or a failing ideology ('理论的空虚'). You should be able to use it with high-level vocabulary, such as '莫名的空虚' (indescribable emptiness) or '极度的空虚' (extreme hollowness). You should also understand its use in military strategy (兵力空虚 - depleted forces). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's weight and its ability to convey profound disillusionment or a lack of substance in complex systems.

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At the C2 level, '空虚' is a tool for precise philosophical and artistic expression. You might analyze how an author uses the theme of '空虚' to represent the decay of an era. You can use it in highly formal writing to describe the 'hollowness' of an argument or the 'void' left by a cultural shift. You should be able to navigate the subtle overlaps with terms like '虚无主义' (nihilism) and '荒诞' (absurdity). At this level, you are expected to use the word with perfect register, knowing exactly when it adds emotional depth and when it functions as a sharp intellectual critique of a lack of substance in academic or political discourse.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

空虚 en 30 segundos

空虚 (kōngxū) means a spiritual or emotional void, often used when life feels meaningless or a person lacks goals and purpose in their heart.
It is strictly for abstract things like feelings, souls, or the content of a speech, never for physical containers like empty bottles or boxes.
The word is commonly found in modern Chinese pop songs, literature, and discussions about the stresses and existential crises of urban city life today.
It functions as an adjective and is frequently paired with degree adverbs like 'very' (很) or 'extremely' (非常) to describe one's internal mental state.

At its core, 空虚 (kōngxū) is an adjective that describes a profound sense of emptiness, hollowness, or a lack of substance. While the English word 'empty' can refer to a physical container, 空虚 is almost exclusively reserved for the abstract, spiritual, or psychological realm. It captures that haunting feeling when one's life lacks purpose, meaning, or emotional fulfillment, regardless of how busy or materially wealthy they might be. In the modern Chinese context, this word is frequently used to describe the existential angst of urban life, the feeling of 'hollowness' after achieving a goal only to find it wasn't what you wanted, or the state of mind when one has too much leisure time but no passion to fill it.

Psychological State: It describes a mental void where a person feels their life is devoid of direction or value. It is often paired with 'spirit' (精神) as in '精神空虚' (spiritual emptiness).

虽然他很有钱，但他的内心却感到非常空虚。 (Although he is very rich, his heart feels very empty.)

The nuance of 空虚 lies in its intensity. It isn't just a fleeting moment of boredom (无聊); it is a more systemic, heavy feeling. Imagine a house that looks beautiful from the outside but has no furniture, no people, and no warmth inside—that is the essence of being 空虚. Historically, the characters themselves reveal this: 空 (kōng) means sky or void, and 虚 (xū) means false or hollow. Together, they create a picture of something that exists in form but lacks the reality of substance. In literature, authors use this word to criticize the decadent lifestyles of the elite or the disillusionment of the youth.

Abstract Content: When a speech or a book is full of grand words but has no real meaning, you can say the content is '空虚'.

这篇文章内容空虚，没有实际的建议。 (This article's content is hollow; it has no practical suggestions.)

Furthermore, 空虚 is often discussed in the context of the 'Information Age.' People spend hours scrolling through social media, yet they often report feeling more 空虚 than before. This is because the interactions are perceived as lacking 'real' connection. In this sense, 空虚 is the opposite of 充实 (chōngshí), which means 'full' or 'enriched.' To overcome 空虚, Chinese culture often emphasizes 'finding a root' or 'finding a purpose' (寻找生活的意义).

Social Context: Used to describe the 'empty nest' feeling (though '空巢' is the specific term for parents, the feeling they have is '空虚').

退休后的生活让他感到莫名的空虚。 (Life after retirement made him feel an indescribable emptiness.)

Using 空虚 (kōngxū) correctly requires understanding its role as an adjective that typically functions as a predicate or an attributive. It is most frequently preceded by degree adverbs like 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), or 十分 (shífēn). Because it describes a state of being, it rarely takes an object directly. Instead, it describes a subject, which is usually a person's 'inner heart' (内心), 'spirit' (精神), or 'life' (生活).

As a Predicate: The subject + adverb + 空虚. This is the most common structure to describe how someone feels.

当事业达到顶峰后，他反而觉得精神空虚。 (After reaching the peak of his career, he instead felt spiritually empty.)

When used as an attributive to modify a noun, you must use the particle 的 (de). Common nouns modified by 空虚 include 'soul' (灵魂), 'feeling' (感觉), or 'content' (内容). For example, '空虚的灵魂' (an empty soul). This usage is quite poetic and is often found in lyrics or novels to emphasize the lack of substance in a character's life.

Contrast with Physical Emptiness: Use '空的' for a glass; use '空虚' for a heart. Mixing these up is a common beginner mistake.

她试图用购物来填补内心的空虚。 (She tried to use shopping to fill the emptiness in her heart.)

Another important usage is in the phrase 填补空虚 (tiánbǔ kōngxū), which means 'to fill the void.' People might fill their void with work, hobbies, or relationships. Additionally, you might see 空虚 used in military or strategic contexts to describe a lack of defense or manpower, though this is more formal and less common in daily conversation. For instance, '兵力空虚' (bīnglì kōngxū) refers to a situation where military forces are depleted or sparse.

Formal/Literary Use: Describing a period of time that was wasted or lacked achievement.

那段日子过得十分空虚，我几乎什么都没做。 (Those days were very hollow; I did almost nothing.)

You will encounter 空虚 (kōngxū) in a variety of emotional and social contexts. In modern Chinese pop culture, it is a staple in Mandopop lyrics. Songwriters often use it to describe the loneliness of city life or the aftermath of a romance. If you listen to songs by artists like Eason Chan or Jay Chou, the theme of 'emptiness' often surfaces as a way to connect with listeners who feel a lack of fulfillment in their busy lives.

In Modern Media: TV dramas often feature characters who have everything—money, fame, power—but complain about feeling '空虚'. It’s a classic trope for the 'unhappy rich character'.

“这种生活太空虚了，我需要找点有意义的事情做。” (This kind of life is too empty; I need to find something meaningful to do.)

On social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) or Douyin, the word is frequently used in discussions about mental health and lifestyle. Influencers might talk about 'spiritual emptiness' (精神空虚) and how to overcome it through mindfulness, travel, or learning new skills. It has become a buzzword for the 'existential crisis' experienced by Gen Z and Millennials in China who are questioning the high-pressure '996' work culture. When someone feels that their job is just a repetitive cycle without higher purpose, they will describe their state as 空虚.

Literature and Philosophy: In philosophical texts, it might be used to describe the 'void' in a more metaphysical sense, though '虚无' (nihilism) is often preferred for academic philosophy.

深夜里，那种强烈的空虚感再次袭来。 (In the middle of the night, that strong sense of emptiness struck again.)

In news reports, you might hear it used to describe a 'hollowed-out' village (空虚的村庄) where all the young people have left for the city, leaving only the elderly and children. While '空心' (hollow-hearted) is also used for this, 空虚 emphasizes the lack of life, energy, and substance in the community. It’s a poignant word that carries a weight of sadness and social critique.

Academic Critiques: Professors might critique a student's thesis as being '内容空虚'—meaning it has a lot of fluff but no real data or original thought.

The most common mistake learners make with 空虚 (kōngxū) is confusing it with other words for 'empty' or 'lonely.' Because English uses 'empty' for both a physical state (an empty bottle) and a psychological state (an empty heart), students often try to use 空虚 for everything. However, in Chinese, these are strictly separated. If you say '这个瓶子很空虚' (This bottle is very empty/hollow), it sounds like the bottle is having an existential crisis!

Mistake 1: Physical vs. Abstract: Incorrect: 房间很空虚 (The room is empty).
Correct: 房间很空 (The room is empty).

Don't say: 我的钱包很空虚。 (My wallet is empty/hollow - unless you're being very poetic/joking). Say: 我的钱包是空的。

Another frequent confusion is between 空虚 (kōngxū) and 寂寞 (jìmò). While they often happen at the same time, they are different. 寂寞 means 'lonely'—it is the feeling of wanting company. 空虚 is about the lack of meaning—it is the feeling of wanting a purpose. You can be with friends and not be 寂寞, but still feel 空虚 because you don't know what you are doing with your life.

Mistake 2: Confusing with '空洞' (kōngdòng): '空洞' usually describes language, eyes, or theories that lack substance. '空虚' is more about the internal state of a person or the lack of substance in a life.

Finally, watch out for the intensity. 空虚 is quite a 'heavy' word. Using it for minor boredom is an overstatement. If you just have nothing to do for an hour, use 无聊 (wúliáo). If you feel your entire existence is a void, use 空虚. Overusing 空虚 can make you sound overly dramatic in casual conversations.

Correct: 等车的时候很无聊。 (Waiting for the bus is boring.)
Incorrect: 等车的时候很空虚。 (Waiting for the bus is existentially empty.)

Understanding the synonyms of 空虚 (kōngxū) helps in choosing the right 'flavor' of emptiness for your context. While 空虚 is the general term for spiritual hollowness, other words offer more specific nuances. For instance, 虚无 (xūwú) is much more philosophical, often associated with nihilism or the Buddhist concept of 'nothingness'. You would use 虚无 when discussing the ultimate nature of the universe rather than your weekend feelings.

空虚 vs. 寂寞 (jìmò): 空虚: Spiritual void, lack of meaning. "My life has no goal."
寂寞: Social loneliness, lack of companionship. "I have no one to talk to."

Another close relative is 空洞 (kōngdòng). This word is often used to describe things that should have content but don't. For example, '空洞的口号' (hollow slogans) or '空洞的眼神' (hollow/blank eyes). While 空虚 describes the *feeling* of being empty, 空洞 describes the *quality* of being hollow. A speech is 空洞 because it lacks facts; a person is 空虚 because they lack joy or purpose.

他的话听起来很空洞，没有诚意。 (His words sound hollow, lacking sincerity.)

If you want to describe a place that is empty and desolate, use 荒芜 (huāngwú) or 冷清 (lěngqīng). 荒芜 is for land or gardens that are overgrown and neglected, while 冷清 is for a place that lacks the 'heat' of people and activity, like a restaurant with no customers. 空虚 would only be used for a place metaphorically, to describe the 'vibe' of a ghost town.

空虚 vs. 乏味 (fáwèi): 乏味: Tasteless, dull, uninteresting. Use this for a boring movie or a repetitive job.
空虚: Deeply empty. Use this for the emotional toll that dullness takes on the soul.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

In Buddhist texts, '空' (Sunyata) is a central concept meaning 'emptiness' or 'voidness,' but it's often a positive state of being free from attachments. '空虚,' however, is almost always used negatively in modern Chinese to describe a sad lack of meaning.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /kɒŋ ʃuː/

US /kɔŋ ʃu/

Both syllables are First Tone (flat and high), so there is no stress difference; both should be equally emphasized and held for the same duration.

Rima con

中 (zhōng) 红 (hóng) 通 (tōng) 书 (shū) 车 (chē - partial) 居 (jū) 曲 (qǔ - partial) 需 (xū)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'xu' like 'zoo'. It must have the rounded 'ü' sound.
Falling in tone on 'kong'. It must stay high and flat.
Confusing the 'x' sound with the English 'x' (ks). It is closer to 'sh' but with the tongue lower.
Pronouncing 'kong' like 'kung' (as in Kung Fu). It is 'o' as in 'song'.
Making the 'u' in 'xu' sound like 'oo' in 'food'. It must be 'ü'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

The characters are relatively common, but understanding the abstract nuance requires a B1 level.

Escritura 4/5

The character '虚' can be tricky to write correctly (don't forget the inner parts).

Expresión oral 3/5

Pronouncing 'xu' correctly (the 'ü' sound) is the main challenge for English speakers.

Escucha 3/5

Easily recognized in emotional contexts, but can be confused with other 'xu' sounds if the tone is missed.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

空 (kōng) 心 (xīn) 感觉 (gǎnjué) 生活 (shēnghuó) 很 (hěn)

Aprende después

充实 (chōngshí) 寂寞 (jìmò) 虚无 (xūwú) 意义 (yìyì) 灵魂 (línghún)

Avanzado

虚无主义 (Nihilism) 形而上学 (Metaphysics) 幻灭 (Disillusionment) 匮乏 (Scarcity/Lack)

Gramática que debes saber

Adjectives as Predicates

他的生活[很]空虚。 (His life is [very] empty. No 'is' verb needed).

Attributive 'de'

空虚[的]感觉。 (The feeling [of] emptiness).

Degree Adverbs

他[非常]空虚。 (He is [extremely] empty).

Resultative Complements

生活变得空虚[了]。 (Life [has become] empty).

Contrastive Structures

虽然忙碌，[但]很空虚。 (Although busy, [but] very empty).

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Ejemplos por nivel

我的心很空虚。

My heart is very empty.

Subject + Adverb (很) + Adjective (空虚).

他不开心，他觉得空虚。

He is not happy; he feels empty.

Simple sentence showing state of mind.

生活很空虚吗？

Is life very empty?

Question form using '吗'.

我不要空虚的生活。

I don't want an empty life.

Using '空虚' as an adjective to modify '生活'.

这里没有爱，只有空虚。

There is no love here, only emptiness.

Using '空虚' as a noun-like state.

你会感到空虚吗？

Will you feel empty?

Future/Probability '会' + '感到'.

空虚是不好的。

Emptiness is not good.

Simple subject-predicate-adjective structure.

他觉得心里空虚。

He feels empty in his heart.

'心里' acts as a location for the feeling.

没有朋友的时候，我觉得很空虚。

When I have no friends, I feel very empty.

'...的时候' (When...) structure.

他虽然很有钱，但是生活空虚。

Although he is rich, his life is empty.

'虽然...但是...' (Although... but...) contrast.

我需要找点事做，不然会空虚。

I need to find something to do, otherwise I'll feel empty.

'不然' (otherwise) used to show consequence.

书里的内容很空虚。

The content of the book is very hollow.

Describing abstract content.

这种感觉叫作空虚。

This feeling is called emptiness.

'叫作' (is called) to define a term.

他不想过空虚的日子。

He doesn't want to live empty days.

'日子' (days/life) modified by '空虚的'.

电影太长了，而且内容空虚。

The movie was too long, and the content was hollow.

'而且' (and also) connecting two criticisms.

忙碌可以让我忘记空虚。

Being busy can make me forget the emptiness.

Causative '让' (make/let).

许多年轻人感到精神空虚。

Many young people feel spiritually empty.

'精神空虚' is a set phrase for spiritual void.

他试图用酒精来填补内心的空虚。

He tried to use alcohol to fill the inner void.

'用...来填补' (Use... to fill).

如果没有目标，生活就会变得空虚。

If there are no goals, life will become empty.

'如果...就...' (If... then...) conditional.

他的演讲充满了空虚的口号。

His speech was full of hollow slogans.

'充满' (full of) + abstract noun phrase.

退休后，他感到一阵莫名的空虚。

After retiring, he felt a sudden, inexplicable emptiness.

'莫名的' (inexplicable) adds nuance to the feeling.

在这个繁华的城市里，我感到很空虚。

In this bustling city, I feel very empty.

Contrasting the environment with the internal state.

他那空虚的眼神让我感到害怕。

His hollow eyes made me feel afraid.

Using '空虚' to describe appearance/vibe.

我们应该追求充实，而不是空虚。

We should pursue fulfillment, not emptiness.

'是...而不是...' (is... rather than...).

这篇文章除了华丽的词藻，内容十分空虚。

Aside from flowery language, the content of this article is very hollow.

'除了...之外' (aside from) structure.

这种物质生活的丰富掩盖了精神的空虚。

This abundance of material life masks the spiritual emptiness.

'掩盖' (to cover/mask) showing a complex relationship.

由于缺乏长远的规划，他的事业显得很空虚。

Due to a lack of long-term planning, his career appears hollow.

'由于' (due to) introducing a cause.

他在繁华落尽后，只剩下无尽的空虚。

After the prosperity faded, only endless emptiness remained.

Literary phrasing: '繁华落尽' (prosperity ends).

这种社交方式只会让人感到更加空虚。

This way of socializing will only make people feel more empty.

'更加' (even more) for comparative feeling.

他试图通过疯狂工作来逃避内心的空虚。

He tried to escape his inner emptiness by working frantically.

'通过...来逃避' (By means of... to escape).

空虚感往往源于对生活意义的缺失。

The sense of emptiness often stems from a lack of meaning in life.

'源于' (stems from) - formal academic usage.

那个时代的文学作品充满了幻灭与空虚。

The literary works of that era were full of disillusionment and emptiness.

Describing the theme of an entire era.

当代都市人的空虚感，在很大程度上是消费主义的结果。

The emptiness of modern urbanites is, to a large extent, a result of consumerism.

'在很大程度上' (to a large extent) - formal qualifier.

他那番慷慨激昂的陈词，细听之下竟如此空虚。

His impassioned speech, upon closer listening, was actually so hollow.

'细听之下' (upon closer listening) - sophisticated transition.

当理想破灭，取而代之的是彻骨的空虚。

When ideals are shattered, they are replaced by a bone-deep emptiness.

'取而代之' (to replace) - four-character idiom usage.

这种哲学探讨如果脱离了现实，就会变得空虚无物。

If this philosophical discussion is detached from reality, it becomes hollow and empty.

'空虚无物' (hollow and without substance) - four-character combination.

边境防守空虚，给了敌人可乘之机。

The border defenses were sparse, giving the enemy an opportunity to exploit.

Military/Strategic use of '空虚'.

他试图在艺术创作中寻找慰藉，以对抗生命的空虚。

He sought solace in artistic creation to combat the emptiness of life.

'以' used as 'in order to' in formal prose.

他的成功背后，隐藏着一种难以言说的空虚与孤独。

Behind his success hides an unspeakable emptiness and loneliness.

'难以言说' (difficult to put into words).

这种文化的空虚，预示着一个时代的终结。

This cultural hollowness foreshadows the end of an era.

'预示着' (foreshadows/indicates).

存在主义者认为，人必须在本质的空虚中创造自己的意义。

Existentialists believe that humans must create their own meaning within essential emptiness.

Philosophical discourse: '本质的' (essential/intrinsic).

该政权的权力架构已然空虚，仅靠高压手段维持表面的稳定。

The power structure of the regime has become hollow, maintaining superficial stability only through high-pressure tactics.

Political analysis: '已然' (already) and '高压手段' (high-pressure tactics).

他的晚年生活并非如外人所想的那般惬意，反而充斥着某种形而上的空虚。

His later years were not as pleasant as outsiders imagined; instead, they were permeated by a sort of metaphysical emptiness.

'形而上的' (metaphysical) - high-level philosophical term.

这种由于价值体系崩塌而产生的空虚感，是现代性危机的重要表征。

The sense of emptiness arising from the collapse of value systems is a key manifestation of the crisis of modernity.

Sociological analysis: '表征' (manifestation/signifier).

文学若失去了对人性的深层关照，极易陷入形式的华丽与内涵的空虚。

If literature loses its deep concern for humanity, it easily falls into formal brilliance and empty connotation.

Literary criticism: '深层关照' (deep concern/care).

他在作品中勾勒出一种近乎荒诞的空虚，直指现代文明的软肋。

In his works, he outlines a near-absurd emptiness, pointing directly at the weak point of modern civilization.

'勾勒' (to outline/sketch) and '软肋' (weak point/Achilles' heel).

这种空虚并非虚无，而是一种待填充的、具有无限可能的潜能状态。

This emptiness is not nihility, but a state of potentiality waiting to be filled, possessing infinite possibilities.

Paradoxical philosophical reasoning: '并非...而是...'.

当所有宏大叙事都显得空虚时，个体开始转向对微观生活的关注。

When all grand narratives appear hollow, individuals begin to turn their attention toward micro-life.

'宏大叙事' (grand narrative) - postmodern term.

Colocaciones comunes

精神空虚

内心空虚

生活空虚

填补空虚

内容空虚

兵力空虚

感到空虚

极度空虚

莫名的空虚

空虚寂寞

Frases Comunes

空虚感

— The sense/feeling of emptiness. Used as a noun phrase.

强烈的空虚感让他无法入睡。

打发空虚

— To pass the time to avoid feeling empty. Similar to 'kill time'.

他靠玩游戏来打发空虚。

空虚的日子

— Hollow days; days spent without doing anything meaningful.

我不想要这种空虚的日子。

空虚的灵魂

— An empty soul. Very poetic and dramatic.

金钱买不到不空虚的灵魂。

精神世界空虚

— One's spiritual world is empty. Used in academic or serious discussions.

教育应该防止学生的精神世界空虚。

防务空虚

— Defenses are sparse/weak. Used in political or military contexts.

该地区的防务目前十分空虚。

空虚的诺言

— Hollow promises. Promises that will not be kept.

我听够了你那些空虚的诺言。

消除空虚

— To eliminate or get rid of emptiness.

只有奋斗才能消除内心的空虚。

空虚的表象

— A hollow facade. Something that looks good but has nothing inside.

不要被那些空虚的表象所迷惑。

空虚得要命

— Extremely empty (colloquial 'to death').

今天没课，我觉得空虚得要命。

Se confunde a menudo con

空虚 vs 空 (kōng)

Use '空' for physical space (empty box); use '空虚' for psychological space (empty heart).

空虚 vs 寂寞 (jìmò)

Loneliness (needing people) vs. Emptiness (needing meaning).

空虚 vs 无聊 (wúliáo)

Boredom (temporary lack of activity) vs. Emptiness (deep lack of purpose).

Modismos y expresiones

"乘虚而入"

— To take advantage of a weakness or a 'hollow' spot. While '虚' here is the core, it relates to the concept of emptiness.

病毒会在你免疫力下降时乘虚而入。

Common Idiom

"名不虚传"

— To have a reputation that is not 'hollow' (i.e., it is well-deserved).

这里的风景果然名不虚传。

Formal

"虚位以待"

— To leave a seat 'empty' (hollow) waiting for a worthy person.

我们公司对优秀人才虚位以待。

Formal/Business

"虚有其表"

— To have a grand appearance but be 'hollow' inside. Very close to '空虚'.

这个产品虚有其表，质量很差。

Common Idiom

"弹无虚发"

— Every shot hits the mark (none are 'hollow' or wasted).

他是个神枪手，弹无虚发。

Formal

"虚怀若谷"

— To have a mind as open/hollow as a valley (meaning to be very modest/open-minded).

周总理为人谦虚，虚怀若谷。

Literary/Praised

"虚情假意"

— Hollow feelings and fake intent (hypocrisy).

我不需要你这种虚情假意的关心。

Common Idiom

"空穴来风"

— Wind coming from a hollow cave (meaning a rumor has some basis, though often misused to mean 'groundless').

这些传闻并非空穴来风。

Literary

"避实就虚"

— Avoid the solid and attack the 'hollow' (weak) spots.

在比赛中，我们要学会避实就虚。

Strategy

"虚无缥缈"

— Vague, illusory, and 'hollow' like mist.

他追求的那些东西都太虚无缥缈了。

Literary

Fácil de confundir

空虚 vs 空洞 (kōngdòng)

Both translate to 'hollow' or 'empty' in English.

空洞 is used for things that lack substance where it's expected (like a theory or eyes). 空虚 is the emotional state or a general lack of substance in life.

他的演讲很空洞 (The speech is hollow). 他感到很空虚 (He feels empty).

空虚 vs 虚无 (xūwú)

Both deal with 'nothingness'.

虚无 is a philosophical concept (nihilism). 空虚 is a personal psychological feeling.

虚无主义 (Nihilism). 精神空虚 (Spiritual emptiness).

空虚 vs 虚弱 (xūruò)

Both start with '虚'.

虚弱 means physically weak or frail. 空虚 means spiritually empty.

生病后身体很虚弱 (Body is weak after illness).

空虚 vs 荒芜 (huāngwú)

Both describe 'emptiness' of a sort.

荒芜 is for neglected land or gardens. 空虚 is for spirits or abstract content.

花园已经荒芜了 (The garden is overgrown/neglected).

空虚 vs 冷清 (lěngqīng)

Both can describe a lack of people.

冷清 describes a place that is quiet and lacks activity. 空虚 describes the feeling of the soul.

商店里很冷清 (The store is very quiet/empty of customers).

Patrones de oraciones

我感到很[空虚]。

我感到很空虚。

虽然...但是内心很[空虚]。

虽然他很有钱，但是内心很空虚。

用...来填补[空虚]。

用工作来填补空虚。

[内容/精神]显得十分[空虚]。

他的精神显得十分空虚。

一种[形容词]的空虚感。

一种强烈的空虚感。

在...之后，只剩下[空虚]。

在狂欢之后，只剩下空虚。

...是[精神空虚]的表现。

沉迷游戏是精神空虚的表现。

陷入了...的[空虚]之中。

他陷入了存在主义的空虚之中。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

空虚感 (Sense of emptiness)

虚空 (The void/space)

Verbos

空虚化 (To become hollowed out - rare)

填补 (To fill - often used with 空虚)

Adjetivos

空洞 (Hollow)

虚假 (False)

虚弱 (Weak/Frail)

Relacionado

精神 (Spirit)

内心 (Inner heart)

充实 (Fulfillment)

寂寞 (Loneliness)

虚无 (Nihilism)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in literature, pop culture, and psychological discussions. Less common in daily task-oriented talk.

Errores comunes

这个盒子很空虚。 → 这个盒子是空的。
You cannot use '空虚' for physical objects. It is only for feelings or abstract concepts.
我觉得空虚，因为我想念我的妈妈。 → 我觉得寂寞/孤独，因为我想念我的妈妈。
Missing a person is 'loneliness' (寂寞), not necessarily 'emptiness' (空虚), though they can overlap.
他很空虚地写了作业。 → 他漫不经心地写了作业，觉得很无聊。
'空虚' is rarely used as an adverb to describe an action. It describes a state of being.
我的生活很空虚，因为我没有钱。 → 我的生活很贫困/艰难，我觉得精神很空虚。
Lack of money is 'poverty' (贫困). '空虚' is a lack of spirit or meaning. You can be rich and still be '空虚'.
演讲很空虚。 → 演讲内容很空洞/空虚。
While '空虚' can work, '空洞' is more common for describing speeches that lack substance. If using '空虚,' it's better to say '内容空虚'.

Consejos

Pair with '内心'

To sound like a native, use '内心空虚' (inner emptiness). It’s the most natural way to express that deep feeling of having a hole in your soul.

Don't use with objects

Never say '空虚的杯子' (empty cup). Always use '空的' for objects. '空虚' is for the invisible things like feelings and ideas.

Contrast with '充实'

Learn '充实' (chōngshí) at the same time. These two are the 'yin and yang' of describing how meaningful your life feels.

Modern Context

In modern China, this word is often used to criticize the 'hollow' nature of consumerism or the lack of spiritual life in busy cities.

The 'ü' sound

The 'u' in 'xu' is actually an 'ü'. Keep your tongue in the 'ee' position but round your lips like you're saying 'oo'.

The '虚' character

The character '虚' contains '虍' (tiger radical) on top. Imagine a tiger hiding in a hollow cave to remember how to write it.

Poetic flair

Use '空虚' in your writing to add emotional weight. It sounds much more profound than just saying someone is 'sad' (难过).

Song lyrics

Listen for '空虚' in Mandopop. It's almost always followed by a sigh or a sad melody, making it easy to identify the emotion.

Formal Critiques

In academic writing, use '内容空虚' to describe a paper that has many words but no real point. It’s a standard way to express 'lack of substance'.

King Kong's Void

Think: 'Kong' (King Kong) + 'Xu' (Shoo!). King Kong was shooed away and now he feels '空虚' (empty).

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of King (Kong) standing on top of a mountain (Xu) feeling sad because he has no friends and no purpose. He is 'Kong-Xu'—spiritually empty.

Asociación visual

Imagine a bright, shiny balloon that looks heavy and full, but when it pops, there is absolutely nothing inside. That 'nothingness' inside the shiny exterior is '空虚'.

Word Web

内心 (Heart) 精神 (Spirit) 生活 (Life) 填补 (Fill) 感觉 (Feeling) 寂寞 (Lonely) 无聊 (Bored) 充实 (Full)

Desafío

Try to write a diary entry in Chinese describing a time you felt bored. Then, try to upgrade the word '无聊' to '空虚' by adding a reason why your spirit felt empty.

Origen de la palabra

The word '空虚' combines two ancient Chinese characters. '空' (kōng) originally depicted a cave (穴) under a roof, representing a hollow space or the sky. '虚' (xū) originally referred to a large hill or mound that was uninhabited or empty. Together, they have been used for over two thousand years to describe the absence of substance.

Significado original: An uninhabited wasteland or an empty, hollow space.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexto cultural

Be careful when describing someone's life as '空虚'; it can be seen as a harsh judgment of their lack of character or depth.

English speakers often use 'empty' for both physical and emotional states. In Chinese, you must separate them. '空虚' is much more 'dramatic' than 'bored' or 'lonely' in English; it carries a weight of existential dread.

The song '空虚' by various Mandopop artists (themes of heartbreak). Buddhist philosophy regarding 'Sunyata' (though '空' is the primary term there). Lu Xun's literary critiques of the 'hollow' (空虚) spirits of the Chinese people in the early 20th century.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Personal Feelings

我感到很空虚。
内心深处的空虚。
一种莫名的空虚感。
填补我心里的空虚。

Critiquing Work/Speeches

内容非常空虚。
全是空虚的口号。
文章显得很空虚。
缺乏实际，流于空虚。

Social Issues

现代人的精神空虚。
消费主义带来的空虚。
都市生活的空虚。
空虚的社交活动。

Military/Strategy

后方兵力空虚。
防守十分空虚。
趁其空虚发起进攻。
城内防务空虚。

Relationships

没有爱的生活是空虚的。
分手后的空虚感。
虚情假意的爱。
一段空虚的关系。

Inicios de conversación

"你觉得现在的年轻人为什么容易感到空虚？ (Why do you think young people today easily feel empty?)"

"当你觉得生活空虚时，你会做什么来填补它？ (When you feel life is empty, what do you do to fill it?)"

"你认为追求金钱能解决精神上的空虚吗？ (Do you think pursuing money can solve spiritual emptiness?)"

"你有没有读过哪本书，让你觉得内容非常空虚？ (Have you read any book that you felt was very hollow in content?)"

"在这个城市里，你什么时候会感到最空虚？ (When do you feel the most empty in this city?)"

Temas para diario

描述一次你感到‘精神空虚’的经历。你是如何克服这种感觉的？ (Describe a time you felt 'spiritually empty.' How did you overcome it?)

对比‘寂寞’和‘空虚’。你认为哪一种感觉更难受？为什么？ (Compare 'loneliness' and 'emptiness.' Which do you think is harder to endure? Why?)

如果一个人拥有一切物质财富，他还会感到空虚吗？谈谈你的看法。 (If a person has all material wealth, can they still feel empty? Discuss your view.)

写一段关于未来社会的科幻短文，在那里的生活是否会更加空虚？ (Write a short sci-fi piece about future society; will life there be more empty?)

反思你最近的一周。你是觉得过得很充实，还是有些空虚？为什么？ (Reflect on your past week. Did you find it fulfilling or somewhat empty? Why?)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No. For a physical object like a bottle, use '空的' (kōng de). Saying a bottle is '空虚' would imply the bottle is feeling sad and meaningless.

'无聊' (wúliáo) is temporary boredom because you have nothing to do. '空虚' (kōngxū) is a deeper feeling that your whole life lacks meaning or purpose.

Almost always negative. It describes a lack of something important like spirit, goal, or substance. However, in some philosophical contexts, 'empty' might be neutral, but '空虚' itself carries a sense of dissatisfaction.

You can say '填补空虚' (tiánbǔ kōngxū). For example, '填补内心的空虚' (fill the void in one's heart).

It can be used in both casual and formal contexts. In casual speech, it sounds a bit dramatic. In formal writing, it's used to critique theories or describe social psychological states.

Yes, but usually you describe their 'spirit' (精神) or 'heart' (内心) as empty. If you call a person '空虚的人,' it means they are someone without depth or goals.

Generally, no. Use '空旷' (kōngkuàng) if it's big and empty, or just '空' (kōng). Only use '空虚' for a place if you are writing a poem and want to emphasize the 'sadness' of the emptiness.

It translates to 'spiritual emptiness' or 'mental hollowness.' It's a very common term in China to describe people who have no hobbies, beliefs, or goals to keep their mind occupied.

No. '寂寞' (jìmò) is loneliness (missing people). '空虚' is emptiness (missing meaning). You can be with many people and still feel '空虚'.

The most common opposite is '充实' (chōngshí), which means a life or spirit that is full, rich, and meaningful.

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