[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Abstract-Concepts \ #Time-and-Space # 空 kōng， kòng empty, hollow ## Components [[穴 xué]] [[穴 (xué)]] [[工 gōng]] [[工 (gōng)]] ## Meaning Today, the character 空 (kōng) primarily means "empty" or "void." It can refer to a lack of content, space, or substance, as in 空的 (kōng de), meaning "empty" or "hollow." Additionally, 空 can also mean "sky" or "air," as in 空中 (kōngzhōng), meaning "in the sky." The character retains its associations with emptiness while also encompassing broader meanings related to space and the sky. ## History The character 空 (kōng) is a phonetic character. The component 穴 represents a cave or hole, while 工 serves as the phonetic element and can also refer to someone who digs. The original meaning of 空 is "cave." Over time, it has been extended to imply emptiness or the absence of contents, suggesting a state of having nothing inside. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ![[空 bronce.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[空 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[空 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[空 reg.svg]]