空

kōng

adjective HSK 4 #1,280

Meanings

Contains 穴 (cave) + 工 (work) — a cave hollowed out by work, hence 'empty.' Pronounced kōng for 'empty/sky,' kòng for 'free time.'

Zhège fángjiān shì kōng de.

This room is empty.

Tiānkōng hěn lán.

The sky is very blue.

Bié kōngxiǎng, yào xíngdòng.

Don't daydream, take action.

grammar

Two pronunciations: kōng (1st tone) = empty/sky/in vain; kòng (4th tone) = free time/blank space. 空儿 (kòngr) means spare time.

usage

空气 (kōngqì, air), 天空 (tiānkōng, sky), 太空 (tàikōng, outer space) all use the 1st tone.

空 kōng