スカスカ
Meanings
full of gaps; sparse; thin; insubstantial
Describes something that lacks density or substance: a sparse crowd, thin hair, a hollow vegetable, or a flimsy argument. Often used with だ/な.
This daikon is spongy and hollow.
The venue was still half empty, with only a few people scattered around.
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
cutting sharply; cleanly
Mimetic adverb describing a clean, sharp cut. Often used with と and a cutting verb like 切る.
I cut the vegetables cleanly with a kitchen knife.
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
progressing smoothly
Archaic mimetic adverb for things going smoothly without hindrance. Rare in modern Japanese.
In old texts, it was used like 'the work progresses smoothly'.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉がスカスカだsomething is full of gaps/hollow/sparse
The daikon I harvested was spongy and hollow, and not very tasty.
- スカスカと〈動詞〉to cut something sharply/cleanly
The chef cut the cabbage in clean, sharp strokes.
- 〈場所〉がスカスカだa place is sparsely filled/mostly empty
The theater's seats were mostly empty on a weekday.
- スカスカな〈事〉a flimsy, insubstantial argument/plan/content
His report gave the impression of having thin, insubstantial content.