虚しい

むなしい
Alternative writings: 空しい
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

Feeling empty or hollow; lacking substance or real content.

I-Adjective

Examples

長年の夢が叶っても、どこか虚しい気持ちが消えなかった。

Even though my long-held dream came true, an empty feeling didn't go away.

彼の言葉は表面的で、心に響かず虚しかった。

His words were superficial and hollow; they didn't touch my heart.

贈り物は形だけで、実際には虚しい意味しかなかった。

The gift was only symbolic and in reality had only a hollow meaning.

2

Vain, fruitless, or futile; an effort that produces no result.

I-Adjective

Examples

何度説明しても説得できず、努力が虚しいと感じた。

No matter how many times I explained, I couldn't persuade them; my efforts felt futile.

敵は既に撤退しており、攻撃は虚しいものになった。

The enemy had already withdrawn, so the attack became futile.

謝罪しても許してもらえず、詫びるだけが虚しく響いた。

Even apologizing didn't win forgiveness; the apology sounded empty.

3

Lifeless; lacking vitality or liveliness.

I-Adjective

Examples

冬枯れの庭は色もなく、虚しい風景だった。

The winter-bare garden had no color; it was a lifeless scene.

病気で声が虛しくなり、彼女は以前の活気を失っていた。

Her voice became weak from illness, and she had lost her former vitality.

Word Relationships

Antonym
Derivations