kōngxū: 空虚 - Empty, Hollow, Void (Emotionally/Spiritually)

Keywords: 空虚, kōngxū, Chinese empty feeling, spiritual void in Chinese, feeling hollow, meaninglessness, what does kongxu mean, 空虚 vs 寂寞, 空虚 vs 孤独, existential dread in Chinese, Chinese word for empty inside.

Summary: 空虚 (kōngxū) is a profound Chinese term describing a deep inner feeling of emptiness, hollowness, and meaninglessness. More than just being lonely or bored, it points to a spiritual or existential void, often felt when life lacks purpose, passion, or connection. This page explores the cultural roots of kōngxū, its use in modern China to describe the pressures of urban life, and how it differs from similar concepts like loneliness (寂寞) and boredom (无聊).

Pinyin (with tone marks): kōngxū

Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun

HSK Level: HSK 6

Concise Definition: Describes a feeling of being emotionally or spiritually empty, hollow, or meaningless.

In a Nutshell: Imagine achieving a lifelong goal—graduating, getting a promotion—but feeling nothing but a void afterward. That feeling is 空虚. It's not about being physically alone; it's an internal state of hollowness where things that are supposed to bring joy or fulfillment feel meaningless. It's the quiet ache of a life that feels unsubstantial or without purpose.

空 (kōng): This character's primary meaning is “empty,” “sky,” or “air.” It signifies a lack of physical substance, like an empty room (空房间 - kōng fángjiān).

虚 (xū): This character means “hollow,” “void,” “false,” or “weak.” It implies something that lacks a solid, real core. For example, 虚心 (xūxīn) means “modest” or “open-minded,” literally having a “hollow heart/mind” ready to receive new ideas.

When combined, 空虚 (kōngxū) creates a powerful image of a “hollow emptiness.” It's not just that something is missing (空), but that the space left behind is unsubstantial, weak, and without form (虚). This perfectly captures the deep, internal, and formless feeling of existential emptiness.

In classical Chinese philosophy, particularly Taoism and Buddhism, the concept of “emptiness” (空) can be a profound and positive goal—a state of enlightenment free from worldly desires. However, in modern, everyday language, 空虚 (kōngxū) is almost exclusively negative. It reflects the anxieties of a society in rapid transition.

In contemporary China, 空虚 is often associated with the pressures of modernization, intense academic and professional competition (内卷 - nèijuǎn), and a perceived shift from collective, family-oriented values to a more individualistic and materialistic pursuit of success. When the relentless chase for money and status doesn't lead to happiness, a deep sense of 空虚 can set in.

Comparison to Western Concepts: 空虚 is very similar to the English concepts of “ennui,” “feeling hollow,” or “existential dread.” The key difference is the cultural backdrop. In a Western individualistic context, this feeling might be framed as a personal journey to “find oneself.” In a Chinese context, which often retains strong collectivist undertones, 空虚 can also be linked to a feeling of disconnection from family, a failure to meet societal expectations, or a loss of one's place within the larger group, making the feeling even more isolating.

In Social Commentary: You will often see 空虚 used in articles, songs, and movies to critique the perceived spiritual vacuum of modern urban life. It's a shorthand for the emotional cost of China's economic miracle.

Connotation and Formality: The term carries a strong negative connotation and is generally used in informal to semi-formal contexts. It's a word you'd use with a close friend to describe your feelings or see in a novel, but it would be less common in a formal business report unless discussing social trends.

寂寞 (jìmò) - Lonely. The feeling of wanting company but being alone. The most common point of confusion with 空虚.

孤独 (gūdú) - Solitude; being alone. Unlike 寂寞, 孤独 can be neutral or even positive (e.g., enjoying one's own company).

无聊 (wúliáo) - Bored; boring. A much more superficial and temporary state than 空虚.

失落 (shīluò) - A sense of loss; feeling dejected or crestfallen. This feeling is usually tied to a specific disappointment or loss, whereas 空虚 can be more general.

迷茫 (mímáng) - Lost; bewildered. The feeling of not knowing what direction to take in life. Feeling 迷茫 can often lead to feeling 空虚.

空洞 (kōngdòng) - Hollow; empty. Can be used more literally to describe soulless eyes (空洞的眼神) or a hollow speech, and is a close synonym for 空虚 in its figurative sense.

精神 (jīngshén) - Spirit; mind; consciousness. It is one's 精神 that feels 空虚.

人生意义 (rénshēng yìyì) - The meaning of life. The search for this is often seen as the cure for a feeling of 空虚.