Entry
スカスカ
sukasuka
Describes something that unexpectedly lacks density, has many gaps, or feels hollow inside, such as a pithy vegetable or a wide-open schedule.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is primarily used to describe solid objects that have lost their internal density, leaving them porous, hollow, or spongy (like old radishes or porous bones). Abstractly, it can describe a schedule or text that is sparse and full of gaps. It can also describe the smooth, frictionless action of cutting through something cleanly.
- The state of being hollow, porous, or lacking density inside.
- The state of a schedule or arrangement being wide open with many gaps.
- The action of cutting or progressing smoothly without resistance.
Sense Map
Hollow & Spongy
Used for vegetables, fruits, bones, or containers that lack density and have many internal gaps.
中身がスカスカの箱
Wide Open Schedule
Used when a schedule, text, or plan has very little content and a lot of empty space.
予定がスカスカだ
Smooth Cutting
Used when a knife cuts through something cleanly and effortlessly.
スカスカと切れる
Usage Note
How to Use
スカスカだ
Used at the end of a sentence to state that something is hollow, sparse, or full of gaps.
スカスカになる
Indicates a change of state where something becomes porous, spongy, or emptied of its density.
スカスカな + Noun
Functions as a na-adjective to modify a noun that is lacking in density.
スカスカと + Verb
Functions as an adverb, typically with cutting verbs, to describe a smooth, unresisting action.
How to Use
Common Phrases
中身がスカスカ
empty/sparse on the inside
予定がスカスカ
schedule is wide open
スカスカになる
to become hollow/porous
スカスカの歯
gappy teeth
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Food (Vegetables/Fruits) | Negative | Indicates the food is old, has lost moisture, and has become unpleasantly pithy or spongy. |
| Schedules | Neutral | Simply means the schedule has a lot of free time. Can be a relief for someone seeking rest, or a problem for a business needing appointments. |
| Cutting | Positive | Indicates the tool is very sharp and moves through the material without snagging. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぎっしり ぎっしり / opposite | Used when something is tightly packed with absolutely no empty space left. | This is the exact opposite of スカスカ, which indicates too much empty space. | 箱にぎっしり詰まっている。 |
がらん がらん / similar | Used for large rooms or spaces that are deserted and completely empty. | Not used for the internal texture of solid objects or schedules. | 教室ががらんとしている。 |
すいすい すいすい / similar | Used for smooth progress, gliding effortlessly, or solving problems easily. | Focuses on light, gliding movement, whereas スカスカ focuses on lack of physical or structural resistance. | スイスイと進む。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using スカスカ for a glass with no water in it.
Use 空 (kara) for containers completely devoid of contents. スカスカ is for structural emptiness, sponginess, or sparse distribution.
Using スカスカ to describe an empty street.
It is much more natural to use ガラガラ (garagara) or 空いている (suite iru) for empty streets, trains, or restaurants.
Examples
Examples
この大根は古くて中がスカスカだ。
このだいこんはふるくてなかがスカスカだ。
This daikon radish is old and the inside is spongy and hollow.
VisualDescribes the state of a vegetable that has lost its moisture.
来週は予定がスカスカなので、いつでも休めます。
らいしゅうはよていがスカスカなので、いつでもやすめます。
My schedule is wide open next week, so I can take time off anytime.
FigurativeDescribes a schedule with a lot of free, empty time.
骨がスカスカになる病気に気をつけましょう。
ほねがスカスカになるびょうきにきをつけましょう。
Let's be careful of diseases that make bones become porous and hollow.
LiteralRefers to the loss of bone density (osteoporosis).
新しい包丁で肉がスカスカと切れる。
あたらしいほうちょうでにくがスカスカときれる。
The meat cuts very smoothly with the new kitchen knife.
LiteralDescribes cutting through something without any physical resistance.
箱は大きいのに、中身はスカスカだった。
はこはおおきいのに、なかみはスカスカだった。
Even though the box is big, the contents were sparse and mostly empty space.
VisualShows that the volume of the contents does not match the size of the container.
Similar Words
スイスイ
suisui
Describes physical movement or abstract progress that occurs smoothly, swiftly, and without any obstacles. Similar for smooth progress, but focuses on light, gliding movement.
がらん
garan
Garan describes a large space that is completely empty and deserted, or the clanging sound of a hollow metal object. Used for large, deserted rooms, not porous objects.
ぎっしり
gisshiri
Tightly packed or completely filled with absolutely no empty space or free time left. Opposite; used when something is packed tightly without gaps.
Questions
Can I use スカスカ to describe an empty room?
No. For empty rooms or buildings, use がらん (garan) or ガラガラ (garagara). スカスカ implies an object, structure, or schedule that has gaps where density is expected.
What does it mean if a daikon radish is described as スカスカ?
It means it has been stored too long, lost its moisture, and the inside has become unpleasantly spongy and pithy.
Can writing or text be described as スカスカ?
Yes. If an essay has huge margins, double spacing, and very little actual content to make it look longer, it can be described as スカスカ.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2254740
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ちらりほらり (chirarihorari)
- Next entry
- ゾクッと (zokutto)