空く|すくsuku[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N4approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, intransitive verbto become less crowded; to thin out; to get empty
    どの車両しゃりょうがすいていますか。↗
    Which car is less crowded?
  2. godan verb, intransitive verbto be hungry
    私達わたしたちはまだあまりお腹なかは空すいていない。↗
    We aren't very hungry yet.
Conjugation
Dictionary form空く(すく)
Polite (masu)空きます(すきます)
Negative (nai)空かない(すかない)
polite (masen)空きません(すきません)
classical zu / nu空かず・空かぬ(すかず・すかぬ)
Past (ta)空いた(すいた)
polite (mashita)空きました(すきました)
Past negative (nakatta)空かなかった(すかなかった)
polite (masen deshita)空きませんでした(すきませんでした)
Te form空いて(すいて)
Potential空ける(すける)
Passive空かれる(すかれる)
Causative空かせる(すかせる)
Causative passive空かせられる・空かされる(すかせられる・すかされる)
Conditional (ba)空けば(すけば)
tara空いたら(すいたら)
Volitional空こう(すこう)
polite (mashou)空きましょう(すきましょう)
Imperative空け(すけ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Transitive / intransitive pair
intransitive空くすく⇄transitive空かすすかす
お腹なかが空すく
空く emphasizes the event or resulting state, as in お腹が空く; 空かす foregrounds the agent acting on something, as in お腹を空かす.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymガラガラCasualColloquial mimetic word for a place that is deserted with hardly anyone there, as in 「電車がガラガラ」; even emptier than 「空く」.
  • Synonymがら空きがらあきCasualColloquial term for seats or a venue being almost entirely empty, as in 「がら空きの客席」; can also describe a weak, unguarded defense.
  • Related空っぽからっぽCasualColloquial word for something with nothing inside, as in 「冷蔵庫が空っぽ」; stresses being completely empty, while 「空く」 stresses a place becoming less crowded.
  • RelatedすっからかんCasualColloquial for having nothing left or being flat broke, as in 「財布がすっからかん」; stresses that everything is completely gone.
  • Related空になるからになるNeutralSays the contents of a container are gone, as in 「瓶が空になる」; stresses that what was inside has been used up.
  • Antonym混むこむNeutralThe direct opposite of 「空く」: a place is crowded with people, as in 「電車が混む」.
  • AntonymふさがるNeutralThe opposite of 「空く」: something is filled up, occupied or blocked, as in 「席が塞がる」.

Use 「空く」 by default for a place becoming less crowded. For a place looking deserted pick 「ガラガラ」 or 「がら空き」; for something with nothing inside 「空っぽ」; for contents used up 「空になる」. Crowded is 「混む」, occupied or blocked 「塞がる」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 混み合こみあいが緩和かんわされる。
Kanji in this word
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android