空すく

す

く

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

空く · godan verb (-ku)

Meanings

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

become less crowded; thin out; get empty

Describes a space, vehicle, or container becoming less full or empty. Often used for trains, restaurants, or streets.

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

Used in the fixed expression お腹が空く (or 腹が空く) to mean 'get hungry'. Not used alone for hunger.

〈場ば所しょ〉が空すくfor a place (train, road, restaurant) to become less crowded
この時じ間かんは電でん車しゃが空すいている。
The train isn't crowded at this hour.
空すいている〈物もの〉an uncrowded or vacant thing, such as a seat or table
空すいている席せきに座すわった。
I sat in an empty seat.

混こむN4sense 1
混む means a place becomes crowded, the direct opposite of 空く meaning a place becomes less crowded.
立たて込こむN1
空く means a place becomes uncrowded or empty, the direct opposite of 立て込む describing a place being packed.

開あくN4sense 1
空く (あく) means a space becomes completely empty or a position becomes vacant, while 空く (すく) emphasizes a reduction in crowding or density; they share the same kanji but differ in reading and nuance.
好すくN3
好く (すく) means 'to like', while 空く (すく) means 'to become empty or less crowded'; they are pronounced identically but unrelated in meaning.

Native Japanese verb. The kanji 空 (empty, sky) is used for its meaning.