noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
almost empty; virtually empty
Describes a place, vehicle, or container that is nearly empty of people or things. Often used for trains, buses, parking lots, or rooms.
朝早い電車はがら空きだった。
The early morning train was almost empty.
駐車場ががら空きで、すぐに停められた。
The parking lot was virtually empty, so I could park right away.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
undefended; unguarded; unprotected
Only with reading がらあき
Used when a goal, position, or area in sports or games is left wide open and easy to attack. Restricted to the reading がらあき.
ゴール前ががら空きだったので、簡単にシュートを決めた。
The area in front of the goal was unguarded, so I easily scored.
Katakana variant of the first part, often seen in casual writing. Also read as がらすき.
Rare kanji form using 明き; it is rarely used.
The prefix がら is an intensifier related to emptiness or hollowness, possibly from the same root as がらんどう (hollow). 空き means 'emptiness' or 'vacancy'. The exact derivation is uncertain.