空

• Reading: から
• Romaji: kara
• Kanji breakdown: 空 (kuu/sora/kara/a) — empty, sky, void
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɾa/

Meaning

Emptiness; being empty. Describes the state of having nothing inside.

A noun and adjectival noun meaning empty or emptiness. Read as から, it describes having nothing inside, as in 空の箱 (kara no hako, empty box) or 空っぽ (karappo, completely empty). Note that the same kanji read as そら means sky. Common as a modifier with の before nouns.

Examples

1. この箱は空です。 This box is empty.
2. ペットボトルが空になりました。 The plastic bottle is now empty.
3. 空のお皿を片付けてください。 Please clear away the empty plates.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, descriptions, tidying up

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 空 originally depicted a cave opening or hollow space, representing emptiness. It later expanded to also mean sky, the great emptiness above.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal