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vacío means empty — a common term in Mexican Slang. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: October 23, 2025

🌶️ Mexican Slang

vacío

adjective • /[bah-SEE-oh]/

empty

Example:

El vaso está vacío.

The glass is empty.

🧠 What does vacío mean?

While 'vacío' literally translates to 'empty,' in Mexican slang, it takes on the meaning of feeling emotionally empty, drained, or unfulfilled. It can describe a sense of lacking purpose or direction, similar to feeling lost or hollow. It's often used to express a deeper emotional state than simply being bored.

📚 Extra examples

  • Me siento vacío después de terminar esa relación.
    I feel empty after ending that relationship.
  • Después del concierto, se sentía vacío, como si le faltara algo.
    After the concert, he felt empty, like something was missing.
  • A pesar de su éxito, se sentía vacío por dentro.
    Despite his success, he felt empty inside.
  • Su vida le parecía vacía sin un propósito claro.
    His life seemed empty to him without a clear purpose.

💡 Did You Know?

In Mexican culture, the feeling of 'vacío' can sometimes be associated with a sense of existential angst or longing for something more.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "vacío"

Synonyms: desocupado, hueco, desolado, baldío, sin nada
Opposites: lleno, ocupado, repleto

🔍 See more mexican slang words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'empty' in Spanish?
The most common translation of 'empty' is 'vacío'. Other options, depending on context, include 'desocupado' (unoccupied), 'hueco' (hollow), and 'desierto' (deserted).
How do you pronounce 'vacío' in Spanish?
It's pronounced vah-SEE-oh, with the emphasis on the second syllable.
How do you use 'vacío' in a sentence?
You can use 'vacío' to describe both physical and emotional emptiness. For example, 'La botella está vacía' (The bottle is empty) or 'Me siento vacío' (I feel empty).
What is the English translation of 'vacío'?
The English translation of 'vacío' is 'empty'.
Does 'vacío' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'vacío' changes to agree with the noun it describes. For example, 'vacía' (feminine singular), 'vacíos' (masculine plural), and 'vacías' (feminine plural).
Is 'vacío' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'vacío' is a common word in everyday Spanish, used in both its literal and figurative senses.
Does 'vacío' have slang or double meanings?
While the literal meaning is 'empty,' in some Latin American countries, especially Mexico, it has taken on the slang connotation of feeling emotionally drained or unfulfilled.
Is 'vacío' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While the core meaning remains the same, the slang usage of 'vacío' to describe emotional emptiness is more common in Mexican Spanish than in Spain.

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