虚
void, vacant; false, falsehood; futile
Kanji 1156
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In 虚 we find a hollow space, though it’s often filled with lies. As such, it pops up in words about bluffs, false fronts, and vanity, as well as emptiness, both emotional and physical. When an effort is in vain, leading to nothing, 虚 again enables us to express that. Learn about its surprising relationship to 実. Also find out why you should never choose a spouse who has a 虚業!
Revision History:
Feb. 17, 2017:
p. 2: Fixed a broken link.
p. 3: Deleted an extraneous quotation mark
Oct. 5, 2012: Originally published.
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