Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Empty; void; containing nothing: Describes a state of absolute emptiness, the absence of all things.
   • Nil; nonexistent: Refers to something that has no reality, substance, or existence.
   • Vain; futile; without real meaning or value: Describes actions, words, or efforts that are pointless or without true significance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tâm trí anh ấy trống rỗng, chỉ còn là một khoảng hư không. (His mind was empty, just a void.)
  • Những lời hứa hư không chẳng có giá trị gì. (Vain promises have no value.)
  • Họ theo đuổi một mục tiêu hư không. (They pursued a nil/nonexistent goal.)

Advanced Usage

• Philosophical/Religious Context: In Buddhist and philosophical contexts, "hư không" (Śūnyatā) denotes the fundamental emptiness or voidness of all phenomena, the idea that things lack inherent, independent existence.
  • Giáo lý về hư không là cốt lõi của triết học Phật giáo. (The doctrine of emptiness is central to Buddhist philosophy.)
• Poetic/Literary Use: Used to evoke a sense of vast emptiness, desolation, or the ephemeral nature of existence.
  • Cảnh vật tiêu điều, lòng người hư không. (The scenery is desolate, the human heart is void.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hư vô (n): Nothingness, nihilism. Often used in a more abstract, philosophical sense.
  • Chủ nghĩa hư vô (Nihilism)
• Trống rỗng (adj): Empty, hollow. More commonly used for physical or emotional emptiness.
• Vô nghĩa (adj): Meaningless, senseless. Focuses on lack of meaning rather than existence.

Synonyms

• Rỗng tuếch: Completely empty, bare.
• Vô ích: Useless, futile.
• Ảo tưởng: Illusory, phantom.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Hư không chi địa: A place of emptiness/nothingness; a void.
• Công dã tràng: (Idiom) Literally "the sand-crab's work"; means futile labor, effort spent in vain. This conveys a similar sense of futility as the "vain" meaning of .
• Đổ nước vào cái giếng không đáy: (Idiom) To pour water into a bottomless well; to engage in a futile, endless task.

adj

1. empty; nil; vain