Korean Dictionary
How to say "Empty" in Korean
“Empty” in Korean is 공허하다 (pronounced "Gongheoahda").
공허하다
Gongheoahda
Usage & Context
Describes a deep emotional void or hollowness. Often experienced after achieving a long-term goal or suffering a major loss. Common in Korean songs and literature exploring the human condition. 공허함 (emptiness) is a frequent theme in introspective K-pop lyrics.
Example Sentence
목표를 달성하고 나서 오히려 공허함을 느꼈어요.
After achieving my goal, I paradoxically felt empty.
How to use 공허하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Empty” is 공허하다, romanized as Gongheoahda.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 공허하다.
Pronunciation Guide
공 (gong) sounds like the English word 'gong'. 허 (heo) is like 'huh' but with a slightly more open 'o' sound, similar to 'hot'. 하 (ha) is like 'ha' in 'haha'. 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. The pronunciation flows smoothly with even stress.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
공허합니다
Gongheohamnida
Formal declarative form, used in very polite or official contexts.
Casual (반말)
공허해
Gongheohae
Casual declarative form, used with close friends or subordinates.
More Example Sentences
Experiencing emotional emptiness after a significant loss.
오랜 연애가 끝나고 나니 마음이 너무 공허했어요.
After a long relationship ended, my heart felt so empty.
Feeling unfulfilled despite material success.
그는 모든 것을 가졌지만 여전히 공허함을 느꼈다.
He had everything, but still felt a sense of emptiness.
Struggling with a void after achieving a major goal.
성공 후 찾아온 공허감에 한동안 방황했어요.
I wandered for a while due to the emptiness that came after success.
Cultural Context
'공허하다' and its noun form '공허함' (emptiness) are frequently used in introspective K-pop lyrics and Korean literature to explore themes of existentialism, loneliness, and the human condition. It often describes a deep emotional void, not just a physical lack. This feeling can arise paradoxically after achieving a long-sought goal, leaving one with a sense of 'what now?'
Editorial note
We review entries like 공허하다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
마음이 공허하다
one's heart feels empty
공허한 느낌
an empty feeling
삶이 공허하다
life feels empty
Related Expressions
공허함
gongheoham
emptiness, hollowness (noun)
허무하다
heomuhada
to feel vain, futile, empty (emotionally)
충만하다
chungmanhada
to be full, fulfilled (antonym)
외롭다
oeropda
to be lonely
More Emotions Words
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