空
kòng
#272 most
frequent character
to empty, vacant, unoccupied
Character breakdown
Source: Make Me a Hanzi.
空 pairs 穴 cave with 工 gōng, which supplies the sound. A cave is empty inside, giving the first meaning, 'hollow, void.' Read kōng, it grew to 'empty,' 'baseless,' and 'sky'; read kòng, it means 'free time,' 'vacate,' or 'lack.'
Ask DeepSeek
Your word lists
Sign in to add this word to your private lists.