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空

空 — empty, sky, void

Learn the correct stroke order for 空 (empty), a 8-stroke kanji.

JLPT N4Grade 18 strokes

Stroke Order

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Stroke 0 / 8
On'yomi (音読み)クウkuu
Kun'yomi (訓読み)そらsora、あ.くaku、あ.きaki、あ.けるakeru、からkara、す.くsuku、す.かすsukasu、むな.しいmunashii
Strokes8
Radical穴
Frequency#304
Meaningsempty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum

Step-by-Step Diagram

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Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 8 — start from the green dot

Common Words

架空かくうfictitious; imaginary; fancifulnoun
虚空こくうempty space; empty skynoun
空間くうかんspace; room; airspacenoun
空気くうきair; atmospherenoun
空虚くうきょemptiness; hollowness; vacancynoun
空軍くうぐんair forcenoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 空 (empty) is taught in grade 1 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N4 level. It has 8 strokes with radical 穴.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 空 is #304, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

架空かくう — fictitious; imaginary; fanciful
虚空こくう — empty space; empty sky
空間くうかん — space; room; airspace

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (穴)

穴hole究research突stab窃stealth窓window窒plug up窟cavern窮hard up

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 空 have?

The kanji 空 (empty) has 8 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 空?

空 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 空 mean?

空 means: empty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum. On'yomi readings: クウ. Kun'yomi readings: そら, あ.く, あ.き, あ.ける, から, す.く, す.かす, むな.しい.

What JLPT level is 空?

空 is a JLPT N4 kanji. This is a beginner-level kanji.