空荡荡

• Pinyin: kōng dàng dàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 空 = 穴 (cave) + 工 (work); 荡 = 艹 + 汤 (swing/empty)

Meaning

Empty; deserted; desolate. Describes a space that feels completely empty and echoing.

An intensified form of 空 (empty), often emphasizing the emotional impact of emptiness. Can describe physical spaces or metaphorically describe feelings of emptiness or loneliness.

Examples

1. 孩子们都离开后，家里变得空荡荡的。 After the children left, the house became empty and desolate.
2. 清晨的街道空荡荡的，一个人都没有。 The streets in the early morning were completely deserted, not a soul in sight.
3. 他走后，她的心里空荡荡的。 After he left, her heart felt empty.

Usage Guide

Context: description, emotion, atmosphere

Tone: melancholic

Do Say

• 房间里空荡荡的。(The room feels empty and desolate.)
• 心里空荡荡的，很不是滋味。(My heart feels empty — it's an uncomfortable feeling.)

Don't Say

• 这个盒子空荡荡的。(For small containers, just use 空的 — 空荡荡 implies a larger space with echoing emptiness)

Origin & History

Reduplication of 空荡 for emphasis. ABB pattern common in Chinese adjectives to intensify meaning.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal