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" originally conveyed the sense of a large mound or hill, as reflected in its traditional form "虛" which combines the radical "虍" with the component "丘" meaning mound. Over time, its meaning extended from physical elevations and ruins to denote emptiness or desolation, subsequently acquiring abstract connotations such as falsehood, insubstantiality, and weakness. The simplified form "虚" alters the structure by replacing the bottom "丘" with the component "业", a graphical modification that streamlines writing while retaining the character's established semantic range. This shift from a concrete geographical reference to a range of abstract and philosophical meanings marks the character's lexical evolution.

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.