空

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 空がきれいです。▶ —
   The sky is beautiful.
2. 青い空が好きです。▶ —
   I like blue skies.

Collocations

Mnemonic

空 sora — "sky". The same kanji has multiple readings: 空気 kuuki (air), 空港 kuukou (airport), 空 kara (empty), 空く aku (be empty/vacant). One kanji, four readings — a frequent Japanese homograph case. The kanji depicts a hole (穴) + work (工) = "vacant space".

Quick check

1. Among 空 readings, which is for "air" 空気?

   • kuu くう onyomi (kuuki = "air")
   • sora そら kunyomi (sky)
   • kara から kunyomi (empty)
   • aku あく verb stem (to be vacant)