Nuance Dictionary / Emptiness
텅 비다 teong bi-da
To be completely empty or hollow, literally or figuratively
What does 텅 비다 mean?
텅 비다 (teong bi-da) means: To be completely empty or hollow, literally or figuratively.
The most physical, direct word here — an empty fridge, an empty stadium after the game, or 'my heart feels 텅 빈' after a breakup. It states the emptiness plainly, without judging it as good or bad.
How it's actually used
- 냉장고가 텅 비어서 뭐 해 먹을 게 없네.
naengjanggoga teong bieoseo mwo hae meogeul ge eomne.
The fridge is completely empty, so there's nothing to cook.
💡 Used for physical spaces lacking contents entirely. - 콘서트가 끝나고 난 뒤 운동장이 텅 비었다.
konseoteuga kkeunago nan dwi undongjangi teong bieotda.
After the concert ended, the stadium was completely empty.
💡 Great for describing a space recently crowded that is now deserted. - 명절 연휴라 서울 시내가 거짓말처럼 텅 비어 있었다.
myeongjeol yeonhyura seoul sinaega geojitmalcheoreom teong bie isseotda.
Because of the holiday break, downtown Seoul was emptier than a ghost town.
💡 Can describe physical spaces completely emptied out.
Related words in Emptiness
헛헛하다 heo-teo-ta-da무상하다 mu-sang-ha-da상실감 sang-sil-gam허허롭다 heo-heo-rop-da공허하다 gong-heo-ha-da