空白

• Pinyin: kòng bái
• Hanzi breakdown: 空 = empty; 白 = pictograph of sun rising (white)

Meaning

Blank; empty space; gap. An unfilled area or a void in knowledge, memory, or records.

Can refer to physical blank spaces (on paper, forms) or metaphorical gaps (in history, memory, markets). Often used to describe opportunities (填补空白 = fill the gap) or deficiencies.

Examples

1. 这份问卷还有几个空白没有填写。 There are still a few blanks on this questionnaire that haven't been filled in.
2. 这项研究填补了国内该领域的空白。 This research fills a gap in this field domestically.
3. 他的记忆中有一段空白，想不起来发生过什么。 There's a blank period in his memory — he can't remember what happened.

Usage Guide

Context: documents, research, memory

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 请把空白处填上。(Please fill in the blank spaces.)
• 这是一个市场空白。(This is a market gap.)

Don't Say

• 今天的天空很空白。(Don't use 空白 for the sky — use 空旷 or simply describe the color)

Origin & History

Compound of 空 (empty) + 白 (white/blank). Together describes an empty white space.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal