hueco
/WAY-koh/
hole
As a noun, hueco can refer to a physical hole or opening.
hueco(noun)
hole
?physical opening in a surface
,gap
?a space between two things
space
?empty area
,cavity
?hollow area inside something
📝 In Action
Tapa ese hueco en la pared antes de que entre agua.
A2Cover that hole in the wall before water gets in.
Dejó un gran hueco en su corazón cuando se fue.
B1He left a big void (or hole) in her heart when he left.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
As a masculine noun, 'hueco' uses masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., 'el hueco', 'un hueco grande').
Hueco can be used as an adjective meaning hollow, describing something empty inside.
📝 In Action
El tronco del árbol estaba completamente hueco.
B1The tree trunk was completely hollow.
La caja se sentía muy ligera porque estaba hueca.
B1The box felt very light because it was hollow.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Remember that 'hueco' must match the thing it describes. Use 'hueca' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'la pared hueca') and 'huecos' or 'huecas' for plural nouns.
When used as a noun, hueco can mean a free moment or spare time.
📝 In Action
¿Tienes un hueco para tomar café mañana?
B2Do you have a free moment/slot to grab coffee tomorrow?
Si encuentro un hueco en mi agenda, te llamo.
B2If I find an opening in my schedule, I'll call you.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
Think of this use as a 'gap' or 'hole' in your time. It’s a very natural way to talk about availability.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking for Availability
Using '¿Tienes un hueco?' is a polite and common way to ask if someone has time for you, similar to 'Do you have a minute?'
Hueco can also be an adjective used metaphorically to describe a person or conversation as shallow.
hueco(adjective)
shallow
?describing a person or conversation
,empty-headed
?lacking intelligence or substance
superficial
?lacking seriousness
📝 In Action
No me gusta su filosofía; me parece muy hueca.
C1I don't like his philosophy; it seems very shallow (or empty) to me.
Aunque es guapo, es una persona bastante hueca.
C2Although he is handsome, he is quite a superficial person.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Extension
This meaning extends the idea of 'hollow' (Definition 2) to describe a person's character, implying they are empty inside, lacking seriousness or intelligence.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hueco
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation best fits 'Solo tengo un pequeño hueco entre reuniones'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'hueco' used for all types of holes?
'Hueco' is usually used for larger, less specific holes, gaps, or spaces (like a hole in a wall or a space in a closet). For smaller, precise holes (like a needle hole or a bullet hole), 'agujero' is often more common.
How do I know if 'hueco' means 'hole' or 'free time'?
The context will tell you! If you are talking about walls, trees, or objects, it means 'hole' or 'hollow.' If you are talking about a calendar, a meeting, or a schedule, it means 'free time' or 'slot.'