Translation and Meaning of: 空っぽ - karapo

The Japanese word 空っぽ (からっぽ, karappo) is a term that sparks curiosity both for its sound and its meaning. If you are looking to understand what it represents, how it is used in everyday Japanese, or even tips for memorizing it, this article will help you. We will explore from the basic meaning to cultural aspects and practical examples, all based on reliable sources and verified information.

空っぽ (karappo) is one of those words that carries a visual and emotional meaning, often associated with absence or emptiness. Whether to describe a container without content or a feeling of loss, it appears in various contexts. Here, you will discover how the Japanese use it, its origin, and even curiosities that can facilitate your learning. Shall we start?

Meaning and use of 空っぽ in everyday Japanese.

空っぽ is translated as "empty" or "hollow," but its meaning goes beyond the simple lack of physical content. It can describe anything from a bottle without water to a lonely heart. For example, saying "頭が空っぽ" (あたまがからっぽ, atama ga karappo) means "the head is empty," indicating a lack of thoughts or ideas. This flexibility makes the word useful in both literal and metaphorical situations.

In daily life, Japanese people naturally use 空っぽ, especially in informal contexts. Phrases like "冷蔵庫が空っぽだ" (れいぞうこがからっぽだ, reizouko ga karappo da) – "the refrigerator is empty" – are common in domestic conversations. The word also appears in song lyrics and anime dialogues, reinforcing its presence in pop culture.

The origin and writing of 空っぽ

The composition of 空っぽ is interesting: the kanji 空 (sora, kara) means "sky" or "empty," while the suffix っぽ (ppo) adds a nuance of "totally" or "completely." Together, they convey the idea of something completely empty. It's worth noting that the use of the hiragana っぽ is common in colloquial words, giving a more casual tone to the expression.

Interestingly, 空 alone already conveys the meaning of "empty," but 空っぽ intensifies this idea. This construction is similar to how we use "totally empty." For those studying Japanese, noticing these details helps to understand how native speakers create emphasis and nuances in the language.

How to memorize 空っぽ and curiosities

One tip to remember 空っぽ is to associate the sound "kara" with the concept of emptiness, since the same kanji appears in other words like 空手 (karate, "empty hands"). The "ppo" at the end may remind you of the sound of something hollow hitting. This sound association technique is useful for students, especially when combined with practical examples.

In Japanese culture, the notion of "emptiness" has connections with philosophical and artistic concepts, such as 間 (ma), which represents intervals or significant empty spaces. Although 空っぽ is more colloquial, it shares this relationship with the appreciation of what is unfilled. Understanding these nuances can enrich your understanding not only of the word but also of the Japanese mindset.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• からっぽ (karappo) - Empty
• 空 (sora) - Sky or emptiness
• 空虚 (kuukyo) - Empty in an emotional or abstract sense
• 無 (mu) - Non-existence, absence
• 空っぽしい (karapposhii) - Looking empty, without content

空っぽ

Romaji: karapo
Kana: からっぽ
Type: Adjective, noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: empty; vague; hollow

Meaning in English: empty;vacant;hollow

Definition: There is nothing to it.

Example Sentences - (空っぽ) karapo

See below some example sentences:

私の財布は空っぽです。

Watashi no saifu wa karappo desu

My wallet is empty.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 財布 (saifu) - noun that means "wallet"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the wallet"
• 空っぽ (karappo) - adjective that means "empty"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the present, in this case, "is"