vacías
/vah-SEE-as/
empty
This empty jar shows the meaning of vacías (empty).
vacías(adjective)
empty
?referring to containers or spaces
,vacant
?referring to rooms or seats
hollow
?figurative or literal
📝 In Action
Las estanterías estaban completamente vacías después de la mudanza.
A2The shelves were completely empty after the move.
Necesitamos más sillas porque todas estas están vacías.
A1We need more chairs because all of these are vacant.
Me siento con las manos vacías sin mi teléfono.
B1I feel like I have empty hands without my phone.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, 'vacías' must be used only with feminine, plural nouns (like 'botellas' or 'sillas'). If the noun were masculine plural (like 'vasos'), you would use 'vacíos'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong number
Mistake: "Las caja está vacías."
Correction: La caja está vacía. (The box is singular, so the adjective must also be singular.)
⭐ Usage Tips
To Be or To Be
Use 'estar' (están vacías) to describe the temporary state of being empty, and 'ser' (son vacías) only for a permanent, defining characteristic, though this is rare.
The action of emptying a container is shown here, matching the meaning of vacías (you empty).
vacías(verb)
you empty
?present action, informal singular 'tú'
,you are emptying
?present continuous, informal singular 'tú'
📝 In Action
Cada mañana vacías la cafetera antes de limpiarla.
B1Every morning you empty the coffee maker before cleaning it.
¿Por qué vacías tu mochila en el suelo?
A2Why are you emptying your backpack on the floor?
💡 Grammar Points
Verb Stress Shift
The infinitive is 'vaciar,' but in most present tense forms (like 'vacías'), the stress moves to the 'i', which is why it gets an accent mark when written (vacío, vacías, vacía, vacían).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'tú' and 'usted' forms
Mistake: "Usted vacías la basura."
Correction: Usted vacía la basura. (If you are speaking formally to one person, use the 'él/ella/usted' form, which is 'vacía'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Action vs. State
Remember the difference: 'vacías' (verb) means 'you are performing the action of emptying,' while 'vacías' (adjective) means 'they are empty.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vacías
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'vacías' as an action being performed?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'vacías' is the adjective or the verb?
If it follows 'están' or 'son' (forms of 'to be'), it's the adjective describing a feminine plural thing (the boxes are empty). If it follows the pronoun 'Tú' (you) or is the main action of the sentence, it's the verb 'to empty' (you empty the box).
Is 'vacías' used for people?
Yes, but usually in a figurative sense, meaning superficial or lacking substance (e.g., 'palabras vacías' means empty words). When describing a place where people *should* be, like a stadium, it means 'vacant' or 'unoccupied'.