Definition & Meaning

1.empty-handed; carry/have nothing in one's hands

2.with no examples to follow or no information to guide oneself; without a model to follow

Word usage

kōng shǒu

空 手

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Chinese dictionary
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1
v.empty-handed; carry/have nothing in one's hands
- méi yǒu fǔ zi kōng shǒu bù néng pǐ chái
  没有斧子，空手不能劈柴。
  You can't chop firewood with your bare hands, you need an axe.
- nǐ qù kàn lǎo shī bù néng kōng shǒu qù
  你去看老师，不能空手去。
  You can't go and see your teacher without taking a gift.
- kōng shǒu ér guī
  空手而归
  go home empty-handed
synonym
bái shǒu白手 tú shǒu徒手 chì shǒu赤手
2
v.with no examples to follow or no information to guide oneself; without a model to follow
- kōng shǒu huà huà
  空手画画
  paint out of imagination
- wǒ men shì kōng shǒu gàn qǐ lai de
  我们是空手干起来的。
  We started from scratch.
synonym
bái shǒu白手 tú shǒu徒手

Word usage

Separable word
"空" and "手" can be combined as one word, or be used separately with other elements inserted.
- 不能空着手去别人家。
  You can't visit others without taking a gift.

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