虚(うつ)ろ

うつろ
na-adjective
hollow, vacant, blank
descriptiveemotion
1. hollow, empty, vacant
Describes something that is empty inside or lacking substance.
虚(うつ)ろな木(き)の幹(みき)。
A hollow tree trunk.
心(こころ)が虚(うつ)ろになった。
My heart felt empty.
彼(かれ)の言葉(ことば)は虚(うつ)ろに響(ひび)いた。
His words rang hollow.
2. blank, vacant, absent-minded
Describes eyes or expressions that appear unfocused, lifeless, or devoid of emotion.
虚(うつ)ろな目(め)をしている。
He has vacant eyes.
彼女(かのじょ)は虚(うつ)ろな表情(ひょうじょう)で窓(まど)の外(そと)を見(み)ていた。
She was looking out the window with a blank expression.
ショックで虚(うつ)ろな顔(かお)になった。
His face went blank from shock.

虚(うつ)ろ is a na-adjective describing hollowness or emptiness, used both for physical emptiness (a hollow tree) and figurative emptiness (vacant eyes, emotional void).

Forms

  • Adverbial: 虚(うつ)ろに (虚(うつ)ろに響(ひび)く — ring hollow)
  • Predicate: 虚(うつ)ろだ / 虚(うつ)ろになる (become vacant/empty)

Common collocations

Usage

Often conveys a sense of lifelessness, emotional detachment, or shock. Commonly used in literary or descriptive contexts to depict someone who has lost vitality or focus.

Similar words

  • 空虚(くうきょ): emptiness, void (more abstract/philosophical)
  • 空(から)っぽ: empty (concrete, casual)

Writing

Often written in kana, うつろ; 空(うつ)ろ is also seen.

Related Words

Synonym: 空虚(くうきょ) (emptiness (abstract))
general
Added 2026.2.5 23:51 · Revised 2026.10.8 3:51
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