Nuance Dictionary / Emptiness
헛헛하다 heo-teo-ta-da
A vague hollow emptiness, often felt in the heart or stomach
What does 헛헛하다 mean?
헛헛하다 (heo-teo-ta-da) means: A vague hollow emptiness, often felt in the heart or stomach.
Used for a craving with no clear target — you're not exactly hungry and not exactly sad, but something feels unfilled, so you end up opening the fridge for the third time in an hour even though you're not really hungry.
🎙️ 헛헛하다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [허터타다]로 소리나요 (격음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 점심을 먹었는데도 왠지 마음이 헛헛하다.
jeomsimeul meogeunneundedo waenji maeumi heoteohada.
Even though I had lunch, somehow my heart feels vaguely empty.
💡 Describes an intangible longing or stomach emptiness after eating. - 퇴근길에 지하철역을 나오는데 갑자기 속이 헛헛했어요.
toegeungire jiha-cheoryeok-e naoneunde gapjagi sogi heoteohaesseoyo.
Coming out of the subway station on my way home, I suddenly felt a hollow craving in my stomach.
💡 Often used when you want a snack or comfort food for no clear reason. - 점심을 일찍 먹었더니 저녁 때가 되기도 전에 속이 헛헛하다.
jeomsimeul illjik meogeotdeoni jeonyeok ttaega doegido jeone sogi heotheotada.
I ate lunch early, and now my stomach feels hollow and unsatisfied even before dinner time.
💡 Used for a vague physical or emotional craving.
Related words in Emptiness
무상하다 mu-sang-ha-da상실감 sang-sil-gam허허롭다 heo-heo-rop-da공허하다 gong-heo-ha-da허전하다 heo-jeon-ha-da