How to say 'Empty' or 'Futile' in Japanese | 空しい

word

Meaning

Empty, Futile

Reading

Kanji

空Sky, Empty

Explanation

The Japanese adjective '空しい (むなしい)' can mean 'empty' or 'futile', depending on the context. When used to describe something as 'empty', it often refers to a lack of substance or meaning, such as an empty promise or an empty feeling. For example: His words felt empty「彼の言葉は空しかった」(かれのことばはむなしかった). When used to mean 'futile', it describes something that is pointless or without result. For example: All efforts were futile「全ての努力は空しかった」(すべてのどりょくはむなしかった). The nuance of this word often carries a sense of disappointment or sadness, emphasizing the lack of fulfillment or purpose.

Part Of Speech

adjective

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6571

Composition

kanji-hiragana

Handwriting