Translation guide
The English word "hollow" can describe a physical cavity, an empty interior, a sunken appearance, a sound, or a figurative lack of substance. Japanese uses different words depending on the meaning.
A hole, depression, or empty space in a surface or object.
General word for hole, gap, or opening. Can be used for hollows in the ground, walls, etc.
地面に穴が開いている。
There is a hollow in the ground.
A depression or dent; a hollowed-out area, often shallow.
岩のくぼみに水がたまっている。
Water has collected in a hollow in the rock.
A cavity or hollow space, often inside something. More technical or formal.
木の幹に空洞がある。
There is a hollow in the tree trunk.
Describing an object that is not solid; having an empty interior.
Adjectival phrase meaning hollow, empty inside. Used for objects like balls, pipes, etc.
このボールは中空です。
This ball is hollow.
Having a cavity inside. Slightly more formal or technical.
空洞の壁
a hollow wall
Describing a face or body part that appears sunken, often due to illness or fatigue.
Describes cheeks or eyes that are sunken or hollow. Common in everyday speech.
彼は病気で頬がこけている。
His cheeks are hollow from illness.
Sunken, hollowed. Often used for eyes.
落ちくぼんだ目
hollow eyes
Describing a sound that resonates as if in an empty space, or a dull thud.
Describes a hollow, empty sound or a vacant expression. Often used for footsteps or voices.
うつろな足音が廊下に響いた。
Hollow footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Literally "like a cavity," used to describe a hollow, echoing sound.
空洞のような音
a hollow sound
Describing words, promises, victories, etc., that are empty or meaningless.
Empty, vacant, hollow. Used for abstract things like promises, threats, or feelings.
それは空虚な約束だった。
It was a hollow promise.
Also used figuratively for empty, vacant expressions or feelings.
彼の目はうつろだった。
His eyes were hollow.
In name only; hollow in the sense of lacking substance. Often used for titles or gestures.
形だけの謝罪
a hollow apology
To hollow out, scoop out, or excavate.
To hollow out by carving or scooping. Used for pumpkins, wood, etc.
カボチャをくり抜いてランタンを作る。
Hollow out a pumpkin to make a lantern.
To gouge or scoop out, often with force. Can be used for hollowing out earth or flesh.
穴 (あな) is the most general word for a hole or opening. くぼみ refers to a shallow depression or dent. 空洞 (くうどう) specifically means a cavity or hollow space inside something, often used in technical contexts.
English 'hollow' as an adjective is often translated with 中空の (ちゅうくうの) or 空洞の (くうどうの), but these can sound technical. For everyday objects, it's sometimes more natural to describe the object as having a hole or being empty inside using a phrase like 中が空っぽ (なかがからっぽ).
The river hollowed out the bank.