Learn Japanese Kanji - Aesthetic Guide

Lesson 8: 空 (Sky / Emptiness)

Radicals in 空

The kanji 空 (sora, meaning "sky," or kū, meaning "emptiness") is a character that evokes openness and vastness. It is classified under the 穴 (hole) radical, suggesting an expansive void or space.

穴 (Hole Radical): The top part, Radical 116, means "hole" or "cavity," symbolizing the empty expanse of the sky.
工 (Work Radical): The bottom part, Radical 48, means "work" or "craft," possibly hinting at the sky as a crafted dome or a structured emptiness.

Visually, 空 combines a hollow space (穴) with a structured base (工), creating an image of the sky as a vast, open expanse above the earth—an elegant depiction of its boundless nature. Fun fact: While it primarily means "sky" in everyday use (sora), its alternative reading (kū) ties it to philosophical concepts of emptiness, like in Buddhism.

Examples of 空 in Use

Here are some common words and phrases using 空, focusing on its "sky" meaning where applicable:

空 (sora)

Meaning: Sky

Hiragana: そら

Example: 空が青い。
(Sora ga aoi.)
"The sky is blue."

青空 (aozora)

Meaning: Blue sky

Hiragana: あおぞら

Example: 青空が広がる。
(Aozora ga hirogaru.)
"The blue sky stretches out."

空色 (sorairo)

Meaning: Sky blue

Hiragana: そらいろ

Example: 空色の服が好きだ。
(Sorairo no fuku ga suki da.)
"I like sky-blue clothes."

夜空 (yozora)

Meaning: Night sky

Hiragana: よぞら

Example: 夜空に星が輝く。
(Yozora ni hoshi ga kagayaku.)
"Stars shine in the night sky."

空高く (sora takaku)

Meaning: High in the sky

Hiragana: そらたかく

Example: 鳥が空高く飛ぶ。
(Tori ga sora takaku tobu.)
"A bird flies high in the sky."

空模様 (soramoyō)

Meaning: State of the sky / Weather

Hiragana: そらもよう

Example: 空模様が怪しい。
(Soramoyō ga ayashii.)
"The sky looks ominous."

大空 (ōzora)

Meaning: Great sky / Vast sky

Hiragana: おおぞら

Example: 大空を眺める。
(Ōzora o nagameru.)
"I gaze at the vast sky."

空気 (kūki)

Meaning: Air / Atmosphere

Hiragana: くうき

Example: 空気が澄んでいる。
(Kūki ga sunde iru.)
"The air is clear."

虚空 (kokū)

Meaning: Void / Empty sky

Hiragana: こくう

Example: 虚空を見つめる。
(Kokū o mitsumeru.)
"I stare into the empty sky."

空の彼方 (sora no kanata)

Meaning: Beyond the sky

Hiragana: そらのかなた

Example: 空の彼方に夢がある。
(Sora no kanata ni yume ga aru.)
"There’s a dream beyond the sky."

The kanji 空 captures the boundless and open essence of the sky, blending its physical vastness with hints of emptiness and possibility.