====== kōng / kòng: 空 - Empty, Free, Sky, Leisure ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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`.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * 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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
The usage is strictly divided by its pronunciation.
==== As "kōng" (First Tone) - The State of Being Empty ====
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.
==== As "kòng" (Fourth Tone) - The Resource of Emptiness ====
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 Sentences =====
  * **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 tiān**kōng**.
    * 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 **kōng**qì 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 **kōng**jiān 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 **kòng**bái 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 **kōng**jiě.
    * 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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`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).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[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.