1.
to become vacant, to become free, to become available
For a space, seat, time slot, or person to become available or unoccupied.
席が空いた。
A seat became available.
来週の月曜日は空いていますか。
Are you free next Monday?
駐車場が空くまで待った。
I waited until a parking space became available.
2.
to become empty, to be emptied
For a container, stomach, or space to become empty.
お腹が空いた。
I'm hungry. (Lit: My stomach has become empty.)
ペットボトルが空いたら、リサイクルに出してください。
When the plastic bottle is empty, please put it out for recycling.
空く is an intransitive godan verb meaning to become vacant or empty.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 自動詞 (intransitive)
- Pair: 空ける (transitive, to vacate/empty)
- Pattern: Xが空く
ASPECT (ている):
- 空いている means 'is available/vacant/empty' (resulting state)
- Example: 席が空いている = The seat is available
- Example: お腹が空いている = I'm hungry
HOMOPHONES:
- 開く: to open (a door, lid, etc.)
- 明く: to dawn, to end (a period)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 席が空く: a seat becomes available
- 部屋が空く: a room becomes available
- お腹が空く: to get hungry
- 手が空く: to have free hands / to be available
Related Words
Homophone:
開く (to open)