Meaning
天空 refers to the sky or the expanse of space visible above the earth. It combines 天 (heaven/sky) and 空 (empty/空间), literally meaning 'the empty heaven' or 'celestial void.' The word is commonly used in everyday contexts to describe the sky's appearance, weather conditions, or in poetic/literary expressions.
Usage
天空 is used in both spoken and written Chinese. It's more formal than just saying 天 alone when specifically referring to the sky as a visible expanse. Often appears in descriptions of weather, scenery, or emotional/metaphorical contexts. Commonly paired with adjectives describing color or clarity (蓝色的天空, 晴朗的天空).
Examples
- 01今天的天空特别蓝。.Today's sky is especially blue.
- 02我喜欢躺在草地上看天空。.I like lying on the grass and looking at the sky.
Characters
Common collocations
- 蓝色的天空blue sky
- 晴朗的天空clear sky
- 仰望天空to look up at the sky
- 天空中in the sky
Antonyms
Origin
The compound pairs 天 (the vault of heaven above) with 空 (emptiness/空间), emphasizing the vast, open expanse overhead. This combination has been used in Chinese literature for centuries.