kōng / kòng: 空 - Empty, Free, Sky, Leisure

• Keywords: 空, kōng, kòng, learn Chinese, Chinese character for empty, Chinese for sky, what does kong mean, free time in Chinese, 空 meaning, Buddhism in Chinese, 天空, 有空, 空间, 空气.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of the versatile Chinese character 空, which has two pronunciations: kōng and kòng. Learn how kōng means “empty,” “sky,” or “air,” and carries deep philosophical weight in Buddhism. Then, explore how kòng refers to “free time,” “leisure,” or “blank space.” This guide provides practical examples, cultural insights, and common mistakes to help you master this essential character for everyday conversation and a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kōng / kòng
• Part of Speech: Adjective / Noun / Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 2 (as kōng in 天空, 空气) / HSK 3 (as kòng in 有空)
• Concise Definition: As kōng, it means “empty,” “hollow,” or “sky”; as kòng, it means “leisure,” “free time,” or “to leave a space empty.”
• In a Nutshell: Think of 空 as a character with two personalities based on its tone. The first tone, kōng, describes the state of being empty. An empty box is `kōng`, the vast sky is `kōng`, and an empty promise is `kōng`. The fourth tone, kòng, describes the opportunity or resource that emptiness creates. The free time in your schedule is `kòng`, an empty seat is a `kòng` seat, and the blank you fill in on a test is a `kòng`.

• 空 is a phono-semantic compound character.
• Top component: 穴 (xuè) - This radical means “cave” or “hole.” It provides the sense of hollowness or an enclosed, empty space.
• Bottom component: 工 (gōng) - This character means “work” or “labor” and provides the sound.
• Combined Meaning: A simple way to remember it is “work (工) done inside a cave (穴) leaves it empty.” This captures the core concept of “emptiness” perfectly.

• The character 空 (kōng) is profoundly important in East Asian philosophy, particularly Buddhism (佛教 Fójiào) and Taoism (道教 Dàojiào).
• In Buddhism, `kōng` is the Chinese translation for the Sanskrit concept of Śūnyatā, or “Emptiness.” This isn't a negative concept of nothingness, but rather the understanding that all phenomena are “empty” of a permanent, independent self or intrinsic existence. It is a state of pure potential and liberation from attachment.
• In Taoism, the utility of the void is a central theme. The Tao Te Ching notes that a bowl is useful because of its empty space, and a room is useful because of the emptiness within its walls. Here, `kōng` represents potential and function.
• Comparison to Western Culture: Western thought often views “empty” or “void” negatively, as a vacuum that needs to be filled (e.g., “nature abhors a vacuum”). In contrast, Chinese philosophy often sees `kōng` as a positive and necessary state—a source of potential, quiet, and possibility. The quiet `kōng` of a weekend is cherished, whereas a Westerner might feel pressure to “do something” with their empty time.

The usage is strictly divided by its pronunciation.

This is used as an adjective or noun to describe emptiness, the sky, or something abstract and hollow.

• Literal Emptiness: `一个空盒子` (yí ge kōng hézi) - an empty box.
• The Sky/Air: `天空` (tiānkōng) - the sky; `空气` (kōngqì) - the air.
• Aviation: `航空公司` (hángkōng gōngsī) - airline company.
• Abstract/Figurative: `空话` (kōnghuà) - empty talk; `一场空` (yì chǎng kōng) - all for nothing, futile.

This is used as a noun or verb related to available time or space.

• Free Time: `有空` (yǒu kòng) - to have free time. This is extremely common.
• Empty Space/Blanks: `填空` (tián kòng) - to fill in the blank; `空白` (kòngbái) - a blank space.
• To Vacate or Leave Empty: `把座位空出来` (bǎ zuòwèi kòng chūlái) - to leave the seat empty.

• Example 1:
  • 这个杯子是空的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge bēizi shì kōng de.
  • English: This cup is empty.
  • Analysis: Here, `kōng` is a simple adjective describing the state of the cup. This is its most direct, literal meaning.
• Example 2:
  • 你今天下午有空吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān xiàwǔ yǒu kòng ma?
  • English: Are you free this afternoon?
  • Analysis: This is one of the most common questions in daily Chinese conversation. `有空 (yǒu kòng)` literally means “to have free time.” Note the fourth tone `kòng`.
• Example 3:
  • 我喜欢看蓝色的天空。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xǐhuān kàn lánsè de tiānkōng.
  • English: I like looking at the blue sky.
  • Analysis: `天空 (tiānkōng)` is the standard word for “sky.” `天` means sky or day, and `空` here adds the sense of vast, open space.
• Example 4:
  • 对不起，我现在没空，我们待会儿再说吧。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ xiànzài méi kòng, wǒmen dāihuìr zài shuō ba.
  • English: Sorry, I don't have time right now, let's talk later.
  • Analysis: `没空 (méi kòng)` is the direct opposite of `有空 (yǒu kòng)` and is the most common way to say you are busy or unavailable.
• Example 5:
  • 这里的空气很新鲜。
  • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de kōngqì hěn xīnxiān.
  • English: The air here is very fresh.
  • Analysis: `空气 (kōngqì)` means “air,” literally “empty gas.” It shows how `kōng` can refer to things that seem empty but are full, like the atmosphere.
• Example 6:
  • 考试的时候，我有一个问题空着没答。
  • Pinyin: Kǎoshì de shíhou, wǒ yǒu yí ge wèntí kòng zhe méi dá.
  • English: During the exam, I left one question blank.
  • Analysis: Here, `kòng` is used as a verb meaning “to leave empty.” The `着 (zhe)` particle indicates the continuing state of being left blank.
• Example 7:
  • 他所有的努力都成了一场空。
  • Pinyin: Tā suǒyǒu de nǔlì dōu chéng le yì chǎng kōng.
  • English: All of his efforts came to nothing.
  • Analysis: This is a common idiom, `一场空 (yì chǎng kōng)`, meaning that something was futile or ended up being pointless. It uses the abstract, philosophical sense of `kōng`.
• Example 8:
  • 这个空间太小了，我需要一个更大的办公室。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge kōngjiān tài xiǎo le, wǒ xūyào yí ge gèng dà de bàngōngshì.
  • English: This space is too small; I need a bigger office.
  • Analysis: `空间 (kōngjiān)` means “space” or “room,” both in a physical sense (like a room) and an abstract one (like personal space).
• Example 9:
  • 请在表格的空白处签名。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zài biǎogé de kòngbái chù qiānmíng.
  • English: Please sign in the blank space on the form.
  • Analysis: `空白 (kòngbái)` means “blank space,” literally “empty white.” It uses the `kòng` pronunciation because it refers to a specific, usable empty area.
• Example 10:
  • 她是一名空姐。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yì míng kōngjiě.
  • English: She is a flight attendant.
  • Analysis: `空姐 (kōngjiě)` is a colloquial term for a female flight attendant (literally “sky-sister”). The male equivalent is `空少 (kōngshào)`. This is part of the `航空 (hángkōng)` or “aviation” family of words.

• `kōng` vs. `kòng`: This is the most critical distinction.
  • `kōng` (adjective/state): The room is empty. (房间是空的 - Fángjiān shì kōng de.)
  • `kòng` (noun/resource): I have empty time. (我有空 - Wǒ yǒu kòng.)
  • A good rule of thumb: If you're describing a quality, use `kōng`. If you're talking about a resource (time, space) that can be used, use `kòng`.
• “Free” (unoccupied) vs. “Free” (no cost): This is a major pitfall for learners.
  • `空 (kòng)` means a seat is free (unoccupied, available).
    • `这个座位有空吗？` (Zhège zuòwèi yǒu kòng ma?) - Is this seat available?
  • `免费 (miǎnfèi)` means something is free of charge (no cost).
    • `*Incorrect:* 这杯咖啡是空的。` (This sentence means “This coffee cup is empty.”)
    • `*Correct:* 这杯咖啡是免费的。` (Zhè bēi kāfēi shì miǎnfèi de.) - This coffee is free (of charge).

• 天空 (tiānkōng) - The sky. The most common compound word using `kōng`.
• 空气 (kōngqì) - Air. Literally “sky gas,” another essential `kōng` word.
• 有空 (yǒu kòng) - To have free time. The quintessential phrase using the `kòng` pronunciation.
• 空间 (kōngjiān) - Space, room. Refers to three-dimensional empty area.
• 空白 (kòngbái) - Blank space. A noun referring to an area left intentionally empty to be filled.
• 空虚 (kōngxū) - Hollow, empty (emotionally). A deeper, more psychological kind of emptiness.
• 免费 (miǎnfèi) - Free of charge. An important distinction to avoid confusion with “free” time or space.
• 空想 (kōngxiǎng) - Daydream, fantasy. Literally “empty thought,” meaning a thought without substance or reality.
• 填空 (tiánkòng) - To fill in a blank. The direct action associated with `kòngbái`.
• 航空 (hángkōng) - Aviation. Literally “navigate the empty,” a whole category of modern vocabulary.