Definitions

(adjective) empty; void; unoccupied
(adjective) false; untrue
(adjective) weak; feeble
(adjective) modest; humble
(adjective) abstract; theoretical

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the sound and represents the meaning.

About

The character 虚, in its traditional form 虛, conveys notions of emptiness, void, hollowness, or falseness. Its upper radical 虍, depicting a tiger, functions phonetically while also evoking a sense of largeness. In the traditional form, the lower component derives from 丘, meaning a hill, while the simplified version modifies this section to resemble 业. The original meaning referred to the ruins of a large settlement or a desolate great hill. From this image of physical desolation, the character evolved to represent abstract concepts of emptiness, insubstantiality, and untruthfulness.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他非常谦

Tā fēicháng qiānxū.

He is very modest.

她身体弱。

Tā shēntǐ xūruò.

She is physically weak.

不要度光阴。

Bùyào xūdù guāngyīn.

Don't waste time.

他不追求名。

Tā bù zhuīqiú xūmíng.

He does not pursue false fame.

他感到内心空

Tā gǎndào nèixīn kōngxū.

He feels empty inside.

这是一个拟世界。

Zhè shì yī gè xūnǐ shìjiè.

This is a virtual world.

这个故事是构的。

Zhège gùshì shì xūgòu de.

This story is fictional.

她因为生病而显得弱。

Tā yīnwèi shēngbìng ér xiǎnde xūruò.

She appears weak because she is sick.