Translation guide
The state of being empty, lacking content, or feeling hollow. This guide covers physical emptiness, emotional emptiness, and philosophical concepts like Buddhist emptiness.
Describing a space or container that has nothing inside.
The most common and natural word for 'empty' in everyday speech. Used for containers, rooms, etc.
The box is empty.
The fridge has become empty.
Also means 'empty', but can be slightly more formal or used in compounds. Often used as a prefix.
an empty box
This bottle is empty.
Literary or formal word for emptiness, often implying a sense of void or hollowness. Not used for everyday physical emptiness.
An empty atmosphere hung in the room.
Expressing a feeling of inner emptiness, void, or lack of meaning.
The noun form of 'munashii', meaning a feeling of emptiness, futility, or hollowness. Commonly used for emotional emptiness.
After succeeding, I felt a sense of emptiness.
His heart was full of emptiness.
Literally 'feeling of emptiness', often used in psychological contexts or to describe a sense of void.
Alternative kanji for 'munashisa', same meaning but less common. Use 虚しさ instead.
Sometimes I feel emptiness.
Referring to the philosophical concept in Buddhism that all things are empty of intrinsic nature.
The standard term for 'emptiness' in Buddhist philosophy. Pronounced 'kū', distinct from 'kara'.
In Buddhism, the concept of emptiness is important.
Another term for śūnyatā, often used in more scholarly or doctrinal contexts.
Understanding emptiness is difficult.
空っぽ (karappo) is the most common and casual for physical emptiness. 空 (kara) is also common but can be used in compounds. 空虚 (kūkyo) is literary and implies a deeper void, not for everyday objects.
For feelings of emptiness, use 虚しさ (munashisa) or 空虚感 (kūkyokan). 空 (kara) only refers to physical emptiness.
She was suddenly overcome by a feeling of emptiness.