What does 空 mean in Chinese?

空 (kōng) means "empty; air; sky; in vain" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 空?

空 is pronounced "kōng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 空?

空 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 空?

Common words with 空 include 一空 (leaving none left), 上空 (overhead), 中空 (hollow), 一场空 (all one's hopes and efforts come to nothing), 一扫而空 (to sweep clean).

How do you write 空?

You can practice writing 空 using our stroke order tool.

空 (kōng), empty

空

kōng

empty; air; sky; in vain

HSK 4

Character Breakdown

Radical: 穴 (no. 116)

View stroke order →

Definitions

empty
air
sky
in vain

Example Sentences

房间是空的。

Fángjiān shì kōng de

The room is empty

Words Containing 空

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
一空	yī kōng	leaving none left
上空	shàng kōng	overhead	HSK 7-9
中空	zhōng kōng	hollow
一场空	yī cháng kōng	all one's hopes and efforts come to nothing
一扫而空	yī sǎo ér kōng	to sweep clean

Showing 10 of 20 · View all words with 空 →

Related Words

白(bái)· white

→

唐(táng)· to exaggerate

Grammar Notes

Only If (只有...才)HSK 3

只有 + Condition，(Subject) + 才 + Result

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 3 list

空: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 空 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.