hung1 sam1空心

Jyutpinghung1 sam1

Yalehūng sām

形容詞Rare

Definition

Hollow; having a hole or empty space inside.

colloquialdescriptions

How it's used

Beyond describing physical objects, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe people who lack substance, intelligence, or sincerity. When applied to a person, it carries a dismissive or insulting tone, implying they are empty-headed or shallow. It is distinct from 冇料, which focuses more on a lack of skill or knowledge rather than a fundamental lack of depth.

Examples

ni1呢go3個bo1波hai6係hung1空sam1心㗎，gaa4唔m4好hou2用jung6力lik6踩。

This ball is hollow, don't step on it hard.

nei5你go3個nou5腦hai6係mai6咪hung1空sam1心㗎？gaa4講gong2極gik6都dou1唔m4明。

Is your head hollow? You don't understand no matter how many times I explain.

Common phrases

hung1空sam1心coi3菜

water spinach

hung1空sam1心zyun1磚

hollow brick

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe a person who is simply feeling sad or emotionally empty, as that is better expressed as 心入面空虛. Using 空心 for a person is almost exclusively an insult regarding their intellect or character.