Translation and Meaning of: 空しい - munashii

The Japanese word 「空しい」 (munashii) is primarily used to describe a feeling of emptiness or futility. In an emotional context, the expression refers to the experience of feeling that something is devoid of meaning or purpose, a feeling quite common in moments of loss or disillusionment. Although commonly translated as "empty" or "useless," the term carries a poetic depth that emphasizes the subjective feeling of uselessness that can arise in various situations in life.

The etymology of 「空しい」 traces back to the kanji characters 「空」 and the expression なしい (nashi). The kanji 「空」 (sora or kara) generally means "empty" or "the sky," but in conjunction with the ending しい (shii), it transforms into an i-adjective, indicating a quality or state of being empty or futile. The radical of the kanji「空」, which is "穴" (ana), literally means "hole" or "opening," further emphasizing the notion of nothingness or hollow space.

Historically, the usage of the term 「空しい」 can be found in various Japanese literary and philosophical contexts. In Buddhist scriptures, for example, the idea of emptiness is a key concept, related to impermanence and the understanding that reality is, in its essence, devoid of permanence or intrinsic identity. This duality of meanings — being at once a description of an emotional condition and a deep philosophical concept — makes 「空しい」 a multifaceted expression in the Japanese language.

In contemporary usage, 「空しい」 can appear in everyday dialogues, literary descriptions, and poems to express the ephemeral moment of things or the transience of human feelings. It is interesting to note how, despite its potentially negative emotional connotation, the term also encourages reflection on the value and significance of experiences, promoting a deeper quest for purpose and connection in a reality often perceived as transient.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 虚しい (Munashii) - Empty, worthless, futile
• 空虚 (Kūkyō) - Empty, hollow; often used in an emotional context
• 空っぽ (Karappo) - Empty, devoid of content
• 無益 (Mueki) - Useless; something that brings no benefit
• 無意味 (Muimi) - Meaningless; futile in terms of purpose
• 無価値 (Mukaichi) - Without value; without importance
• 無駄 (Muda) - Waste; something that is ineffective or useless
• 無用 (Muyō) - Useless; something that is not necessary
• 無効 (Mukō) - Invalid; of no effect or use
• 空洞 (Kūdō) - Hollow; empty inside, possibly having a physical connotation.
• 空転 (Kūten) - Empty rotation; it means that something is not progressing or producing results.
• 空疎 (Kūsō) - Empty, superficial; suggests a lack of content or depth.

空しい

Romaji: munashii
Kana: むなしい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: vague; futile; vain; empty; empty; ineffective; lifeless

Meaning in English: vacant;futile;vain;void;empty;ineffective;lifeless

Definition: Adjective that expresses feelings of disappointment or dissatisfaction. It expresses a situation in which things are not going well or a state in which one is not satisfied.

Example Sentences - (空しい) munashii

See below some example sentences:

この部屋は空しいです。

Kono heya wa munashii desu

This room is empty.

This room is empty.

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
• 部屋 - noun that means "room" or "hall"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 空しい - Adjective that means "empty" or "vacant"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form