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noun / adjective HSK 5
kōng dòng
cavity · hole · hollow · empty · void · devoid of content

Meaning

空洞 literally means 'empty hole' and refers to a physical hollow space or cavity. More commonly, it's used metaphorically to describe speech, arguments, or promises that lack substance, depth, or real meaning—essentially 'hollow' or 'empty' words.

Usage

Native speakers frequently use 空洞 as an adjective to criticize speeches, theories, or promises that sound good but have no real content or practical value. Common patterns include 空洞的话 (empty words) and 空洞的承诺 (empty promises). It carries a negative connotation when describing abstract concepts.

Examples

  1. 01
    他的演讲听起来很空洞，没有什么实际内容。
    Tā de yǎn jiǎng tīng qǐ lái hěn kōng dòng, méi yǒu shén me shí jì nèi róng.
    His speech sounds very hollow, with no real substance.
  2. 02
    墙上有一个空洞，可能是老鼠咬的。
    Qiáng shàng yǒu yī gè kōng dòng, kě néng shì lǎo shǔ yǎo de.
    There's a hole in the wall, probably gnawed by a mouse.

Characters

Measure words

  • 个gè一个空洞

Common collocations

  • 空洞的话
    kōng dòng de huà
    empty words
  • 空洞的承诺
    kōng dòng de chéng nuò
    empty promise
  • 空洞无物
    kōng dòng wú wù
    devoid of substance
  • 内容空洞
    nèi róng kōng dòng
    content is empty/hollow

Antonyms

Origin

Combines 空 (empty) and 洞 (hole/cave) to create a compound meaning both literal cavities and metaphorical emptiness or lack of substance.

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