真空 (zhēn kōng) — vacuum (physics, empty space); vacuum (insulate… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

真空 is literally 'true empty' — a complete absence of air/matter (physics vacuum, vacuum flask) or a figurative void like a 'power vacuum'. 空白 is just an empty space left on a page or in knowledge, not physical emptiness.

noun

vacuum (physics, empty space)vacuum (insulated or sealed container)vacuum (figurative, absence or void)

Examples

，真空。
Zài shí yàn shì lǐ, kē xué jiā zhì zào le zhēn kōng huán jìng.
In the lab, scientists created a vacuum environment.
真空，。
Zhè ge shuǐ hú yǒu zhēn kōng céng, kě yǐ bǎo wēn.
This kettle has a vacuum layer that retains heat.
，真空。
Zǒng tǒng cí zhí hòu, guó nèi chū xiàn le quán lì zhēn kōng.
After the president resigned, a power vacuum appeared in the country.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

真 and 空 combine as true emptiness, naming a complete vacuum.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

貝貝bèicowrie; shell

Sound part声符shēngfú

𠂈

𠂈𠂈真zhēn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

真 pairs 貝 (cowrie shell, used for the meaning) with 𠂈, which gave the sound and originally drew a headlong fall.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

穴工空

Meaning part形符xíngfú

穴穴xuécave, hole

Sound part声符shēngfú

工

工gōng空kōng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

空 is built from 穴, a cave or hole, and 工, which gives the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Physics & Chemistry

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.