すく

verb (godan)

to become empty, not crowded

1. to become empty, to not be crowded

Describes a place that has few people, or something (like stomach) becoming empty. The opposite of 込(こ)む (to be crowded).

The train is not crowded.

The roads are empty in the morning.

Stores are not crowded on weekday mornings.

This train is always empty, so I can sit. It's convenient.

The roads are empty late at night, so I can get home quickly by car.

2. to become hungry

Used in the expression お腹(なか)がすく to mean 'to become hungry' (stomach becoming empty).

お腹(なか)がすきました。

I'm hungry.

Literally: stomach has become empty

I'm hungry.

Casual form

I'm hungry, so I want to eat something.

I didn't eat breakfast, so I'm hungry.

I walked a lot, so I'm hungry. I want to eat something delicious.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). No pair verb. Pattern: Xがすく (X becomes empty).

ASPECT: ている indicates resulting state. すいている = 'is empty/not crowded' (state, not process).

COMMON PATTERNS:

Opposite: 込(こ)む/混(こ)む (to be crowded).

Note: すく can use different kanji (空(す)く for empty, 透(す)く for transparent).

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