Word in Japanese/nature
Sky in Japanese
Sky translates as 空 (sora). Below is a full breakdown with stroke counts, alternate writings, an example sentence, and tattoo design notes.
What it means
空 (sora, そら) means sky.
| Kanji | Meaning | Strokes | On'yomi | Kun'yomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 空 | sky, empty, void | 8 | kuu | sora, kara, a(ku), su(ku) |
Alternate writings
Japanese often offers more than one valid kanji for a concept. The alternates below carry slightly different nuance — read them carefully before choosing.
heaven, the heavens — more lofty and abstract than the everyday sky
Compounds and related words
Common Japanese vocabulary built around this kanji.
| Word | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 青空 | aozora | blue sky |
| 空気 | kuuki | air |
| 空手 | karate | karate, literally empty hand |
Example sentence
今日は空がとても青い。
Kyou wa sora ga totemo aoi.
The sky is very blue today.
Tattoo design notes
空 is the everyday word for sky and also means empty or void — a duality that makes it one of the most philosophically rich single-kanji tattoo choices. It appears in 空手 (karate, empty hand) and in Buddhist sunyata (emptiness). For a more lofty, heavenly meaning, 天 (ten) is the alternative.
Cultural notes
空 is read sora when it means sky, kara when it means empty, and kuu in Buddhist philosophy where it denotes emptiness or non-substantiality (sunyata). Same character, three concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say sky in Japanese?
Sky in Japanese is 空, romanised as sora and written in hiragana as そら. 空 is read sora when it means sky, kara when it means empty, and kuu in Buddhist philosophy where it denotes emptiness or non-substantiality (sunyata). Same character, three concepts.
What does the kanji 空 mean?
空 means "sky, empty, void" (8 strokes; on'yomi: kuu; kun'yomi: sora, kara, a(ku), su(ku)). Together the word reads as sora.
What is the difference between 空 and 天?
空 (sora) is the standard form: 空 is read sora when it means sky, kara when it means empty, and kuu in Buddhist philosophy where it denotes emptiness or non-substantiality (sunyata). Same character, three concepts.. 天 (ten) is different — heaven, the heavens — more lofty and abstract than the everyday sky. Pick based on the exact nuance you want to convey.
Is 空 a good kanji for a tattoo?
空 is the everyday word for sky and also means empty or void — a duality that makes it one of the most philosophically rich single-kanji tattoo choices. It appears in 空手 (karate, empty hand) and in Buddhist sunyata (emptiness). For a more lofty, heavenly meaning, 天 (ten) is the alternative.
How do you write sky in hiragana?
In hiragana, sky is written as そら, which represents the sound sora. The kanji form 空 is used in everyday writing; hiragana is used when the kanji is too difficult, for emphasis, or in children's text.
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