How to Say "void" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “void” is “vacío” — use 'vacío' when referring to an emotional or abstract sense of emptiness, absence, or loss..
English → Spanish
vacío
nounB1general
Use 'vacío' when referring to an emotional or abstract sense of emptiness, absence, or loss.
Examples
Sintió un gran vacío en su vida después de mudarse.
He felt a great void/emptiness in his life after moving.
vano
/VAH-noh//ˈba.no/
nounC1general
Use 'vano' when referring to a physical empty space, an opening, or a gap, often in architecture or construction.
Examples
El arquitecto diseñó un gran vano para la puerta principal.
The architect designed a large opening for the main door.
Los vanos de las ventanas permitían la entrada de luz.
The window openings allowed the entry of light.
Always Masculine
When 'vano' is used as a noun meaning 'opening' or 'void,' it is always masculine ('el vano'), regardless of the gender of the object it refers to (like 'la ventana' or 'la puerta').
Don't confuse emotional emptiness with physical space
The most common mistake is using 'vano' to describe feelings of emptiness. Remember that 'vacío' is for abstract or emotional absence, while 'vano' refers to a literal, physical gap or opening.
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.