η©Ί

JLPT N4

Sky, empty

Readings

On’yomi: クウ (kuu)
Kun’yomi: そら, あ(く), あ.ける, から (sora, a(ku), a.keru.kara)
β€’ そら (sora) – sky β€’ あ.く (a.ku) – to be empty, vacant (intransitive) β€’ あ.ける (a.keru) – to empty, clear (transitive) β€’ から (kara) – empty

Vocabulary

η©Ί
そら
sky
η©Ίζ°—
くうき
air
η©ΊζΈ―
くうこう
airport
青空
γ‚γŠγžγ‚‰
blue sky
η©ΊεΈ­
くうせき
empty seat

Example Sentences

η©ΊγŒι’γ„γ§γ™γ€‚
そら が γ‚γŠγ„ です。
The sky is blue.
η©Ίζ°—γŒγγ‚Œγ„γ§γ™γ€‚
くうき が γγ‚Œγ„ です。
The air is clean.

Cultural Note

🌌 空 carries deep significance in Japanese culture:
β€’ Literal: the sky, air, and open spaces are central in traditional poetry (haiku) and art.
β€’ Philosophical / Religious: In Buddhism, η©Ί (ku / Ε›Ε«nyatā) represents emptiness, impermanence, and the void β€” a core concept in Zen thought.
β€’ Practical use: η©Ί is used in everyday life for vacant seats, empty containers, airports, and more.
It beautifully combines the physical and metaphysical sense of emptiness, bridging daily life with philosophy.