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être vide
/ɛtʁ vid/
to be empty
La pièce est vide.
The room is empty.
formal
To be devoid of contents or occupants; to have nothing inside.
Le frigo est vide.
The fridge is empty.
Son cœur était vide après la rupture.
His heart was empty after the breakup.
Can refer to physical emptiness (e.g., containers) or emotional emptiness (e.g., feelings).
Collocations
être vide de sensto be devoid of meaningêtre vide de contenuto be empty of content
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative Use
While 'être vide' often describes physical emptiness, it can also express emotional or intellectual voids, such as 'son esprit était vide' (his mind was empty).
Gold Rule
Context Matters
In technical contexts (e.g., engineering), 'être vide' refers strictly to physical emptiness. In literature, it may carry deeper metaphorical weight.
Word Origin
From 'être' (to be) + 'vide' (empty). 'Vide' comes from Latin 'vacuus' (empty).
Usage Notes
Often used literally for physical emptiness, but can also describe emotional or intellectual voids.
Word Breakdown
être
to be
verbvide
empty
adjectiveDictionnaire Français-Anglais