The Spanish word for “empty” is “vacío” (pronounced bah-see-oh). Vacío is commonly used in sentences like “El vaso está vacío” (The glass is empty). It’s related to the English word “empty” due to their shared linguistic roots. Synonyms include “vacante” and “hueco,” while antonyms include “lleno” and “ocupado.” Phrases with vacío include “estar vacío” (to be empty) and “dejar vacío” (to empty). By understanding the nuances of vacío and its related terms, you can effectively convey the concept of emptiness in Spanish.
Spanish Word and Pronunciation for “Empty”
Vacío (pronounced bah-see-oh) is the Spanish word for “empty.” It describes the state of being without contents, unoccupied, or devoid of anything. When traveling to Spanish-speaking countries, knowing this essential word will help you communicate effectively in various situations.
Example Sentences with “Vacío”
- La botella está vacía. (The bottle is empty.)
- La habitación está vacía. (The room is empty.)
- Me siento vacío por dentro. (I feel empty inside.)
Cognates and Etymology of “Vacío”
The word “vacío” shares its linguistic roots with its English cognate, “empty.” Both words originate from the Latin word “vacuus,” meaning “empty.” This shared etymology highlights the connection between the two languages and their shared vocabulary.
Synonyms for “Vacío”
In Spanish, there are several other words and phrases that can be used to convey the concept of “empty”:
- Vacante: This is often used in contexts of employment, such as “puesto vacante” (vacant position).
- Hueco: This refers to an empty space, such as a hole or gap.
- Desocupado: This means “unoccupied” or “uninhabited.”
Antonyms for “Vacío”
The opposite of “vacío” is “lleno” (full) or “ocupado” (occupied):
- La caja está llena de libros. (The box is full of books.)
- El teatro está ocupado. (The theater is full.)
Related Phrases with “Vacío”
- Estar vacío: To be empty
- Dejar vacío: To empty
- Quedar vacío: To become empty
- Vaciarse: To empty oneself
Understanding the word “vacío” and its related terms is essential for comprehending and communicating in Spanish. Whether you’re ordering at a restaurant or navigating directions, knowing how to express “empty” will enhance your language skills and make your interactions more effective.
Example Sentences with “Vacío”
¡Oye, mira la nevera! Está vacía! (Hey, check the fridge! It’s empty!)
El vaso que me diste estaba vacío. (The glass you gave me was empty.)
La calle estaba vacía a esa hora de la noche. (The street was empty at that hour of the night.)
Me siento vacío por dentro tras la pérdida de mi ser querido. (I feel empty inside after losing my loved one.)
La caja estaba vacía, no contenía nada. (The box was empty, it didn’t contain anything.)
Ella se quedó sentada en el parque, mirando el vacío, perdida en sus pensamientos. (She sat in the park, staring into the void, lost in her thoughts.)
Los ojos del niño estaban vacíos de emoción. (The boy’s eyes were empty of emotion.)
La ciudad parecía vacía sin sus habitantes habituales. (The city felt empty without its usual occupants.)
Cognates and Etymology of “Vacío”
Discover the Linguistic Journey of “Empty” from Latin to Spanish
Embark on a linguistic adventure as we explore the intriguing relationship between the Spanish word “vacío” and its English cognate “empty.” These seemingly distinct words share a rich shared heritage that unfolds a captivating story of linguistic evolution.
The Latin Roots of “Vacío”
The genesis of “vacío” lies in the Latin word “vacuus,” meaning “empty” or “void.” This Latin term carried a profound significance in ancient Roman society, denoting not only physical emptiness but also metaphorical concepts of absence, deprivation, or lack.
Cognate Connection: “Empty” and “Vacío”
Over the centuries, as the Roman Empire expanded its influence across Europe, “vacuus” made its way into the lexicon of various Romance languages, including Spanish. In Spanish, it underwent a phonetic transformation, emerging as “vacío” with its characteristic Spanish pronunciation.
Shared Linguistic Roots
The common ancestry of “vacío” and “empty” is evident in their shared linguistic structure. The root “vac-” serves as the foundation for both words, carrying the semantic notion of “emptiness.” This shared etymology underscores the deep linguistic connection between the two languages.
The cognate relationship between “vacío” and “empty” exemplifies the intricate tapestry of language evolution. Through the passage of time, words traverse geographical boundaries, adapting to new contexts while retaining their fundamental meaning. In this case, the shared Latin roots of “vacío” and “empty” serve as a testament to the enduring power of language and its ability to bridge cultures and connect people across linguistic barriers.
Synonyms for “Vacío”
When you need to express the concept of emptiness in Spanish, the word “vacío” serves as the primary translation for “empty.” However, the rich tapestry of the Spanish language offers a plethora of synonyms that can add nuance and variety to your vocabulary.
Let’s delve into a few alternatives to “vacío”:
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Vacante: This term is commonly used to describe an unoccupied position or space. For instance, you might say “Hay una vacante para el puesto de gerente” (There is a vacancy for the manager position).
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Hueco: This word conveys a sense of an empty space or hole. It can be used to refer to both physical and figurative emptiness, as in “El hueco en la pared necesita ser reparado” (The hole in the wall needs to be repaired) or “Siento un hueco en mi corazón desde que te fuiste” (I feel an emptiness in my heart since you left).
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Desocupado: This term is often used to describe something that is unoccupied or not currently in use. It is frequently employed in contexts of real estate or transportation, as in “La casa está desocupada” (The house is unoccupied) or “El autobús está desocupado en este momento” (The bus is currently empty).
These synonyms provide you with a range of options to convey the concept of emptiness in Spanish, allowing you to tailor your language to the specific context and add richness to your communication.
Antonyms of “Vacío”: Expressions of Fullness in Spanish
Vacío, the Spanish word for “empty,” is often encountered in everyday language. Understanding its antonyms, which convey the opposite idea of “fullness” or “occupancy,” is equally crucial for effective communication in Spanish.
The Nuanced Binary: Lleno vs. Vacío
The primary antonym of vacío is lleno, meaning “full.” It describes something that is occupied, containing something within it. Consider the example of a vaso (glass): when it’s lleno, it’s filled with a beverage; when it’s vacío, it’s empty.
Occupied Spaces: Ocupado vs. Vacío
Another key antonym of vacío is ocupado, meaning “occupied.” It refers to something that is taken up or inhabited. For instance, a casa (house) can be ocupada by its residents, or it can be vacía if it’s unoccupied.
Beyond Occupancy: Other Antonyms of Vacío
In certain contexts, other words can also serve as antonyms of vacío. Relleno (“filled”) and completo (“complete”) convey a sense of fullness or completeness, contrasting with the emptiness implied by vacío. Additionally, abundante (“abundant”) and colmado (“overflowing”) describe situations where there is more than enough, the opposite of emptiness.
Practical Application
Understanding these antonyms is essential for accurately expressing oneself in Spanish. By using the appropriate word, you can avoid confusion and convey your intended meaning clearly. For example, you might say “La botella está llena de agua” (The bottle is full of water) or “El estacionamiento está ocupado” (The parking lot is occupied).
Mastering the antonyms of vacío will enhance your Spanish vocabulary and enable you to effectively communicate about the presence or absence of contents in various contexts.
Related Phrases with “Vacío”
Embracing the Emptiness
Beyond its straightforward meaning, the Spanish word “vacío” plays a versatile role in everyday language. It weaves into phrases and expressions that delve into the realm of emptiness, both in its literal and figurative sense.
One common phrase is “estar vacío”, which translates to “to be empty”. It vividly depicts a state of void, whether referring to a physical container or an emotional space within us. Similarly, “dejar vacío” means “to empty”, inviting us to release what no longer serves us and make way for the new.
The Art of Nothingness
Moving beyond the tangible, “vacío” finds expression in concepts that explore absence. The phrase “un lugar vacío” evokes a “vacant place”, a space left unoccupied, perhaps yearning to be filled. “Un sentimiento de vacío” captures the “feeling of emptiness” that can gnaw at the soul, a void we strive to understand and transcend.
The Power of Absence
Even in its absence, “vacío” exerts a powerful presence. “El vacío de la mente” symbolizes “mental emptiness”, a state of clarity and openness, ready to receive new knowledge and experiences. “El vacío de la página” represents the “blank page” of a writer, inviting words to flow and create meaning from nothingness.
Embrace the Void
Whether it’s the emptiness of a room, the void of a lost love, or the silence of a blank page, “vacío” reminds us that absence can hold its own unique significance. It invites us to explore the spaces between, to find beauty in the emptiness, and to embrace the transformative power of nothingness.
