"Kongkong ru ye" (Absolutely Empty) is an idiom derived from The Analects. Its literal meaning is "empty, with nothing at all." It comes from The Analects, Zi Han: "Do I possess knowledge? No, I do not. A rustic asked me something, and I was empty-headed." Originally, it referred to Confucius humbly describing himself as having shallow knowledge and an empty mind. Later, this idiom gradually evolved to describe a space, container, or a person's inner heart, knowledge, wealth, and so on as completely empty, with nothing whatsoever. It can be used for concrete things, such as a room or pocket being completely empty, and it can also be used for abstract things, such as an empty mind or spiritual poverty. In terms of usage, it often carries a sense of emphasizing "complete emptiness," sometimes with a derogatory meaning, referring to a person's lack of learning or substance, and sometimes it is also used for self-deprecation. In emotional coloring, it is relatively neutral or slightly negative, but in specific contexts it can also express a state of openness and broad-minded humility. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the Confucian attitude toward humility and the pursuit of knowledge. Confucius used "kongkong ru ye" to describe himself, displaying the modesty of a sage.
📝 Example
1. He opened the fridge, and it was completely empty—there wasn't even a slice of bread.
2. Faced with the teacher's question, his mind went completely blank—he couldn't think of a thing.