kuàng
Open, vast, spacious, neglect

1. Character Basics

Radical: 日 (rì, sun/day)
Stroke Count: 7
Stroke Order:
日 广 旷

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: kuàng
Tone: 4th tone (falling)
Audio: s

3. Meaning

  • Open, vast, spacious, wide
  • Desolate, deserted, uninhabited
  • To neglect, to be absent from, to miss
  • Long (of time), prolonged

4. Common Words

空旷 kōng kuàng Empty and vast, spacious
旷野 kuàng yě Wilderness, open country
旷课 kuàng kè To skip classes, to be absent from school
旷工 kuàng gōng To be absent from work without permission
旷日持久 kuàng rì chí jiǔ To drag on for a long time
心旷神怡 xīn kuàng shén yí Refreshed in mind and body, carefree and happy

5. Grammar & Usage

The character "旷" can be used as an adjective to describe open or vast spaces, or as a verb meaning to neglect or be absent from something. It is often found in compound words.

As an adjective:

这片草原很空旷。(Zhè piàn cǎoyuán hěn kōngkuàng.) - This grassland is very vast and open.

站在山顶,视野变得十分开阔。(Zhàn zài shāndǐng, shìyě biàn dé shífēn kāikuò.) - Standing on the mountain top, the view becomes very broad and open.

As a verb (in compound words):

不要旷课,这会影响你的成绩。(Bùyào kuàngkè, zhè huì yǐngxiǎng nǐ de chéngjī.) - Don't skip classes, it will affect your grades.

他因为生病旷了三天工。(Tā yīnwèi shēngbìng kuàngle sān tiān gōng.) - He was absent from work for three days because of illness.

6. Cultural Background

The character "旷" consists of "日" (rì, sun/day) and "广" (guǎng, wide/open). This combination suggests the idea of a wide, open space under the sun. In classical Chinese literature, "旷" is often used to describe vast natural landscapes and the feelings they evoke in people.

One famous expression containing "旷" is "心旷神怡" (xīn kuàng shén yí), which describes a feeling of peace and refreshment that comes from being in beautiful natural surroundings. This phrase reflects the traditional Chinese appreciation for nature and its positive effects on human emotions.

The negative connotation of "旷" as "neglect" or "absence" also has cultural significance. In traditional Chinese society, regular attendance at school or work was considered a virtue, and absences were generally disapproved of. This is reflected in words like "旷课" (kuàngkè, skipping classes) and "旷工" (kuànggōng, being absent from work).

7. Example Sentence

站在旷野上,望着无边无际的天空,我感到心旷神怡。

Zhàn zài kuàngyě shàng, wàng zhe wúbiān wújì de tiānkōng, wǒ gǎndào xīn kuàng shén yí.

Standing on the wilderness, looking at the boundless sky, I feel refreshed in mind and body.

8. Memory Tips

To remember the character "旷", look at its structure: it has "日" (rì, sun/day) on the left and "广" (guǎng, wide/open) on the right. You can visualize a wide, open space under the sun. This image connects well with the meaning of "vast" or "open".

Another helpful mnemonic is to link the character with the common phrase "心旷神怡" (xīn kuàng shén yí), which describes a positive emotional state often experienced in beautiful, open spaces. This can help you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation of "旷" (kuàng).