Kanji Homophone Battle
Pronunciation Trap: "うつろ (utsuro)"
Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.
Kanji Option A
うつろ
うつろ (utsuro)
N2 / CEFR
VS
Kanji Option B
虚ろ
うつろ (utsuro)
N2 / CEFR
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "うつろ (utsuro)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.
- うつろ (Level: N2): Translates to "vacant; empty; hollow; blank (expression)" and is used when 物理的な空間が空いている状態のほか、心や表情に活気がなくぼんやりしている様子を表します。虚ろと書くこともあります。.
- 虚ろ (Level: N2): Maps to "vacant; hollow; blank; empty" and carries the nuance of Describes eyes or a mind that lacks expression or thought, often due to shock, sadness, or exhaustion..
Bilingual Context for "うつろ"
彼女は窓の外をうつろな目で見つめていた。
She stared out the window with a vacant look in her eyes.
Bilingual Context for "虚ろ"
彼女は悲しみのあまり、虚ろな目をして何も言わなかった。
Out of sadness, she had vacant eyes and said nothing.
Kanji Selection Quiz
Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?
Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "彼女は窓の外を ＿＿＿ な目で見つめていた。" (Meaning: "She stared out the window with a vacant look in her eyes.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Correct! "うつろ" is used for "vacant; empty; hollow; blank (expression)" in the context: "She stared out the window with a vacant look in her eyes.".