Definition
放空 is a versatile verb that literally means 'to release emptiness'. Its most common modern usage is 'to clear one's mind' or 'to let one's thoughts go blank' (放空大脑, 放空自己), often used as a way to relax or take a mental break. It also has a concrete sense: 'to drive with an empty load' (放空车), and a figurative sense in 放空炮 ('to fire a blank cannon' = to make empty promises or boast without delivering). In financial contexts it can mean 'to short sell', but that is less common in general conversation.
v.
to clear one's mindto let one's thoughts go blank (as a way to relax)to drive with an empty load (truck, taxi, etc.)
Examples
- ，放空。Zhōumò wǒ xǐhuan qù gōngyuán zuòzuo, ràng dànǎo fàng kōng yíxià.On weekends I like to go to the park and let my mind go blank for a while.
- 放空，。Zhè liàng chūzūchē shì fàng kōng chē, méiyǒu chéngkè.This taxi is running empty — it has no passengers.
- 放空，。Bié tīng tā fàng kōng pào, tā shuō de cónglái zuò bú dào.Don't listen to his empty promises — he never follows through on what he says.
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