noun, na-adjective
Physical emptiness: a hollow space inside something, a cavity, or a void. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
古木の幹には大きな虚ろがあった。
There was a large hollow in the trunk of the old tree.
洞ろの中に小動物が住み着いていた。
A small animal had taken up residence inside the hollow.
na-adjective
Only when written 虚ろ / 空ろ
Abstract emptiness: describes a voice, smile, eyes, expression, or heart that lacks substance, emotion, or sincerity. Restricted to the kanji 虚ろ and 空ろ.
彼女の虚ろな笑顔がかえって悲しかった。
Her hollow smile was all the more sad.
失恋してから、彼の目は虚ろだった。
After the heartbreak, his eyes were vacant.
虚ろな心では何も感じられなかった。
With an empty heart, I couldn't feel anything.
Rarely used kanji form; 洞 suggests a cave-like hollow.
Rarely used single-kanji form; may be confused with other readings.
The word うつろ is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 虚 (empty, void) and 空 (sky, empty) are used for their meanings. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it may be related to the verb 移ろう (うつろう, to change, to shift), suggesting a sense of transience or hollowness.