vuoto
La stanza è vuota.
The room is empty.
Containing nothing; not filled or occupied.
Il frigorifero è vuoto.
The fridge is empty.
Commonly used for physical spaces or containers.
Lacking content, meaning, or substance; devoid of ideas or emotion.
Il suo discorso era vuoto di contenuti.
His speech was empty of content.
Often used metaphorically for abstract concepts like conversations or actions.
A space that is not occupied; emptiness.
C'è un vuoto nel muro dove mancava una mensola.
There's a gap in the wall where a shelf was missing.
Collocations
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid literal translations for abstract uses
Don't translate 'vuoto' as 'blank' unless referring to a physical surface. For abstract contexts like 'a speech was empty,' use 'meaningless' or 'lacking substance.'
Gold Rule
Physical vs. Figurative
Use 'vuoto' for physical emptiness (e.g., 'a room') and 'privo di significato' or 'senza senso' for abstract emptiness (e.g., 'a pointless argument').
Word Origin
From Latin *vacuus* (empty), via Vulgar Latin *vōtus*. Related to French *vide* and Spanish *vacio*.
Usage Notes
Used for both physical emptiness (e.g., 'a glass') and abstract concepts (e.g., 'a conversation'). The figurative sense ('lacking substance') is common in literature and critical analysis.