emptiness

emptiness — 名詞

1. a physical area or container that has nothing inside it, or the condition of bei

1.名詞B1
釋義

空無一物

某處沒有東西的狀態

a physical area or container that has nothing inside it, or the condition of being completely without contents.

例句

The vast emptiness of the desert stretched for miles before Sade's eyes.

一片空曠的沙漠在 Sade 眼前延伸了數英里。

collocation: vast emptiness of [a place]

Camila tapped the wall to confirm the emptiness behind the wooden panel.

Camila 敲了敲牆壁,想確認木頭面板後面是否空無一物。

同義詞
  • void

    emphasises a large, often unsettling empty area (outer space, a gap left by loss)

  • vacuum

    scientific term for matter-free space; also used metaphorically for absence of something expected

  • blankness

    refers specifically to empty surfaces like paper or screens, or expressionless faces

反義詞
  • fullness

    the state of being filled with contents

文法句型

the emptiness of [place]

[adjective] emptiness

用法筆記

Emptiness in this sense describes a general condition of being without contents. Use 'empty space' or 'gap' for specific physical locations, and 'void' for a large, unfilled area.

常見錯誤

There was an emptiness between the two buildings.
There was an empty space between the two buildings.
💡'emptiness' describes a general state, not a specific gap.

2. when something has no real value, meaning, or honest intent — for example, the e

2.名詞B2
釋義

空洞;虛假

內容空洞或不真誠

when something has no real value, meaning, or honest intent — for example, the emptiness of a political promise that sounds good but says nothing.

例句

The emptiness of the politician's speech disappointed everyone who had come to listen.

那位政客的演說內容空洞,讓所有來聽的人都感到失望。

Mizuki saw through the emptiness of the brand's promises about saving the environment.

Mizuki 看穿了該品牌關於環保承諾的虛假。

collocation: emptiness of [promises / speeches / claims]

同義詞
  • hollowness

    similar but emphasises the insincerity or deceptive appearance of something

  • futility

    stresses uselessness and pointlessness rather than lack of meaning

  • meaninglessness

    more direct and literal; less common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • substance

    having real value, meaning, or sincere intent

  • depth

    richness of meaning or thought

文法句型

the emptiness of [abstract noun]

[possessive] emptiness

用法筆記

Often followed by an 'of'-phrase naming the thing that lacks sincerity or meaning (the emptiness of their promises, the emptiness of modern life). Subject is typically an abstract thing: speech, promise, relationship, ritual.

常見錯誤

The speech had a lot of emptiness.
The speech was full of emptiness.
💡'emptiness' is not used with 'a lot of'; use 'full of emptiness' or 'the emptiness of the speech.'

3. a deep, painful sense that your life has no direction, value, or emotional conne

3.名詞B2
釋義

空虛感;失落

內心無目標與情感的悲傷

a deep, painful sense that your life has no direction, value, or emotional connection — like the emptiness a person feels after losing someone close.

例句

After her father passed away, Aoi felt a deep emptiness that nothing could fill.

父親過世後,Aoi 感到一股無法填補的深層空虛感。

Christopher hid his emptiness behind a cheerful smile, but his coworkers noticed the change.

Christopher 用開朗的笑容掩飾內心的空虛感,但同事們注意到了他的變化。

同義詞
  • hollowness

    similar emotional sense, emphasising a lack of inner substance or warmth

  • desolation

    stronger, suggesting utter loneliness and abandonment

  • void

    metaphorical use of an empty space inside oneself

反義詞
  • fulfilment

    a feeling of satisfaction and purpose in life

  • purpose

    a clear sense of direction and meaning

文法句型

a feeling of emptiness

[possessive] emptiness

emptiness + inside [person]

用法筆記

Distinguish from loneliness (which is about missing specific people) and depression (a broader clinical condition). Emptiness here is a feeling of internal hollowness or lack of purpose that may persist even when surrounded by others.

常見錯誤

I felt emptiness when I missed the bus.
I felt a sense of emptiness after my best friend moved abroad.
💡'emptiness' in this sense is too strong for minor disappointments; reserve it for significant emotional loss.