空腹 (kōngfù) refers to the state of having an empty stomach, typically before eating. It is commonly used in contexts related to health, dieting, and medical advice, as in 'Don't take medicine on an empty stomach.' The term emphasizes the absence of food, which can affect one's physical state or health.
HSK 3, 16 strokes, Hard
kōngfù(kong1fu4) T1
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May 27, 2026
空腹kōngfù(kong1fu4)
空腹 (kōngfù) refers to the state of having an empty stomach, typically before eating. It is commonly used in contexts related to health, dieting, and medical advice, as in 'Don't take medicine on an empty stomach.' The term emphasizes the absence of food, which can affect one's physical state or health.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a strong belief in the importance of eating at the right times and not taking medicine on an empty stomach, which reflects traditional views on health and wellness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a balloon (空) that is completely deflated (腹), representing an empty stomach. The sound 'kōng' can remind you of the word 'gone,' indicating that food is 'gone' from the stomach. Visualizing a flat balloon helps connect the character's meaning to its pronunciation.
About 空腹
空腹Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryHSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 空腹
Podcast: 空腹
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AI Study Notes for 空腹
Quick Contrast
空腹 (kōngfù) vs 饥饿 (jī'è) — use 空腹 when specifically referring to the state of having an empty stomach, while 饥饿 emphasizes the sensation of hunger.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a balloon (空) that is completely deflated (腹), representing an empty stomach. The sound 'kōng' can remind you of the word 'gone,' indicating that food is 'gone' from the stomach. Visualizing a flat balloon helps connect the character's meaning to its pronunciation.
Usage Notes
When using 空腹, be careful to distinguish it from other terms for hunger, such as 饿 (è). This word is more formal and is often used in health-related discussions. A common collocation is '空腹吃药' (kōngfù chī yào), meaning 'take medicine on an empty stomach.'
HSK Study Tips
As a Level 3 HSK word, learners should focus on using 空腹 in practical sentences related to health and nutrition. It connects well with other vocabulary about eating and health, such as 饭 (fàn, meal) and 饥饿 (jī'è, hunger).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a strong belief in the importance of eating at the right times and not taking medicine on an empty stomach, which reflects traditional views on health and wellness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 空腹 with the term 饿 (è, hungry). For example, saying '我空腹' (Wǒ kōngfù) instead of the more appropriate '我饿' (Wǒ è) to express hunger is incorrect. Remember, 空腹 describes the stomach's state, not the feeling of hunger.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 空腹
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Cultural Notes for 空腹
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, there is a strong belief in the importance of eating at the right times and not taking medicine on an empty stomach, which reflects traditional views on health and wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions about 空腹
The opposite is 饱腹 (bǎofù), which means 'full stomach.'
While it can be used informally, it is more commonly found in medical or nutritional contexts.
No, it specifically refers to the state of the stomach being empty, rather than the feeling of hunger.
