(kōng)

HSK 28 strokes
Readingskōngkòngkǒng

empty

Stroke order animation

Character information

Pinyin
kōng / kòng / kǒng
Meaning
empty; air; sky; in vain
Strokes
8
HSK level
HSK 2
Traditional
Same

Origin & structure

Where comes from and how its parts fit together.

Phonetic-semantic compound⿱穴工

In this compound, the meaning comes from (cave); supplies the sound.

One part carries the meaning, the other suggests the sound.

Made of

Parts are arranged top to bottom.

How to write step by step

8 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8

Words with

Common words using — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.

shàngkōng
HSK 7-9

the skies above a certain place; (aviation) airspace; (Tw) topless

Open 上空 page →
HSK 7-9

a common occurrence (idiom)

Open 司空见惯 page →
kōng

leaving none left; (sold etc) out

Open 一空 page →
zhōngkōng

hollow; empty interior

Open 中空 page →

all in vain; futile

Open 一场空 page →

(idiom) to make a clean sweep of; to clean out

Open 一扫而空 page →

a worthless piece of paper (idiom)

Open 一纸空文 page →

Related characters

Ready to master 空?

Trace 空 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.