Translation and Meaning of: 空ろ - utsuro

If you've come across the Japanese word 空ろ (うつろ - utsuro), you may have felt that curiosity about what it really means, how it originated, and how it is used in everyday life. In this article, we will deeply explore this expression that carries interesting nuances, from its etymology to its practical use. If you are studying Japanese, you will love discovering how this word appears in daily contexts and how it can be useful for your vocabulary. Additionally, here at Suki Nihongo, you can also find writing tips and examples of ready-made sentences to include in Anki or your spaced repetition method.

The term 空ろ is often associated with feelings of emptiness, both physical and emotional, and appears in conversations, literature, and even in songs. But does it always carry the same weight? Or do the Japanese use this word in lighter ways? Let's unravel all of this and also discover some tricks to memorize this kanji without suffering.

Etymology and Origin of 空ろ

The word 空ろ (うつろ) has its root in the verb 虚ろう (うつろう - utsurou), which means "to become empty" or "to lose substance." The kanji 空, on its own, already carries the meaning of "sky" or "empty," while the suffix ろ reinforces the idea of a hollow or content-deprived state. This combination creates an expression that goes beyond the literal meaning, conveying a sense of absence that can be both concrete and abstract.

Interestingly, this word also appears in expressions like うつろな目 (utsuro na me), which describes an empty or distant gaze, often associated with moments of deep reflection or even a state of shock. It’s no wonder it is so used in literary narratives and song lyrics — it manages to capture complex emotions with just two characters.

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

In daily life, the Japanese use 空ろ to describe everything from hollow objects, like an empty tree trunk, to feelings of detachment or lack of purpose. A common phrase is 心が空ろになる (kokoro ga utsuro ni naru), which means "the heart becomes empty," usually used to express a state of melancholy or discouragement. But be careful: it is not necessarily negative. In some contexts, it can indicate a mind free of worries, almost like a state of peace.

Another interesting use is in the description of places. If you have ever visited an ancient temple in Japan and felt that serene, almost intangible atmosphere, you can say that the environment had a 空ろな雰囲気 (utsuro na fun'iki) — an aura of emptiness that, paradoxically, conveys a sense of fullness. It is one of those words that gains layers of meaning depending on who uses it and in what situation.

Tips for Memorizing and Curiosities

If you're struggling to remember this kanji, a tip is to associate the radical 穴 (ana), which means "hole", present in other characters like 空 (sora - sky). Imagine the sky as a vast emptiness — this image can help solidify the meaning. Another strategy is to create flashcards with sentences like この箱は空ろだ (kono hako wa utsuro da) — "This box is empty", to practice usage in real contexts.

A fun fact is that this word sometimes appears in puns and jokes. For example, if someone says something without much conviction, they might joke: 「それ、空ろな返事だね！」(sore, utsuro na henji da ne!) — "That reply was quite empty, huh?". It's a light way to draw attention to the lack of content without sounding rude. So, are you ready to include 空ろ in your vocabulary and impress your Japanese friends?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 虚ろ (Utsuro) - Empty, without content, hollow.
• からっぽ (Karappo) - Empty, with nothing inside.
• 空っぽ (Karappo) - Empty, without content (synonym of からっぽ).
• 空虚 (Kūkyō) - Empty, hollow, a feeling of absence.
• 空洞 (Kūdō) - Cavity, empty space inside something.
• 空白 (Kuhaku) - Blank space, empty on a surface.
• 空腹 (Kūfuku) - Hunger, the feeling of an empty stomach.
• 空疎 (Kūsō) - Empty, weak, without substance.
• 空しい ( Munashii) - Empty, insignificant, without purpose.

空ろ

Romaji: utsuro
Kana: うつろ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: empty; cavity; hollow; empty space

Meaning in English: blank;cavity;hollow;empty (space)

Definition: Feeling empty, empty.

Example Sentences - (空ろ) utsuro

See below some example sentences:

空ろな心に何かが欠けている。

Karōna kokoro ni nanika ga kakete iru

Something is missing in the empty heart.

• 空ろな - empty, hollow
• 心 - heart, mind
• に - particle indicating action or state in which something is
• 何か - something
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 欠けている - missing, incomplete