Translation guide
The English word "hollow" can describe a physical cavity, an empty interior, a sunken appearance, a sound, or a figurative lack of substance. Japanese uses different words depending on the meaning.
A hole, depression, or empty space in a surface or object.
General word for hole, gap, or opening. Can be used for hollows in the ground, walls, etc.
There is a hollow in the ground.
A depression or dent; a hollowed-out area, often shallow.
Water has collected in a hollow in the rock.
A cavity or hollow space, often inside something. More technical or formal.
There is a hollow in the tree trunk.
Describing an object that is not solid; having an empty interior.
Describing a face or body part that appears sunken, often due to illness or fatigue.
Describing a sound that resonates as if in an empty space, or a dull thud.
Describing words, promises, victories, etc., that are empty or meaningless.
Empty, vacant, hollow. Used for abstract things like promises, threats, or feelings.
It was a hollow promise.
Also used figuratively for empty, vacant expressions or feelings.
His eyes were hollow.
In name only; hollow in the sense of lacking substance. Often used for titles or gestures.
a hollow apology
To hollow out, scoop out, or excavate.
穴 (あな) is the most general word for a hole or opening. くぼみ refers to a shallow depression or dent. 空洞 (くうどう) specifically means a cavity or hollow space inside something, often used in technical contexts.
English 'hollow' as an adjective is often translated with 中空の (ちゅうくうの) or 空洞の (くうどうの), but these can sound technical. For everyday objects, it's sometimes more natural to describe the object as having a hole or being empty inside using a phrase like 中が空っぽ (なかがからっぽ).
The river hollowed out the bank.