JLPT N4 Vocabulary – “あく” or “すく”? The Meanings and Usage Differences of “空く”

Table of Contents

1. The Meanings and Usage Differences of “空く”
2. あく
3. すく
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment

Q: Is there a way to tell when “空く” is read as “あく” and when it’s read as “すく”?

A: For native Japanese speakers, the distinction between “あく” and “すく” is usually made naturally based on context and the situation. The appropriate reading is chosen depending on the meaning and condition at the time.

あく (JLPT N4)

[Meaning]
When a place or time that had been occupied becomes available or unused.
It describes a situation where something that was blocked is removed, making it usable again.

[Commonly used words]
Words that refer to specific places or times, e.g. 席せき(seat)・部屋へや(room)・スケジュール(schedule) etc.

[Examples]
今日きょうは祝日しゅくじつで、席せきが空あいているレストランがありません。
Today is a public holiday, so there are no restaurants with available seats.

すみません。この席せき、空あいてますか。
Excuse me, is this seat available?

空あいている部屋へやで会議かいぎをしましょう。
Let’s have the meeting in an available room.

“あく” refers to a physical or time-related state of being unused.
It means that a place or time becomes available because no one is there or nothing is occupying it.
In this case, “place” or “time” refers not to a broad space, but to a specific spot or time slot.
It’s easier to understand if you think of it as “a state where something is not being used.”

[Examples]
あそこの席せき、空あいてるよ。座すわろう。
That seat over there is available. Let’s sit down.
⇒ Indicates that a specific place, “seat,” is currently unused.

この会議かいぎ室しつは空あいていますか？
Is this meeting room available?
⇒ A question asking whether a specific meeting room is currently in use or not.

明日あしたの9時じから空あいていますよ。
I’m available from 9 o’clock tomorrow.
⇒ Shows that no plans are scheduled for that specific time slot.

すく (JLPT N4)

[Meaning]
A state where a crowded space becomes less full, creating more room as the number of people or objects decreases.
It gives the image of the overall “density” of the space becoming lower.

[Commonly used words]
Words that refer to spacious areas, such as 電車でんしゃ(trains), 道路どうろ(roads), 店内てんない(inside stores) etc.

[Examples]
今日きょうは平日へいじつだから、レストランが空すいているね。
Since today is a weekday, the restaurant isn’t crowded.

道路どうろが空すいていて、思おもったより早はやく着ついたよ。
The road was clear, so I arrived earlier than I expected.

電車でんしゃは田舎いなかに向むかうにつれて、空すいていきます。
The train gets less crowded as it heads toward the countryside.

“すく” describes a state in which there are few people or things in a space with a sense of openness or spaciousness.
The key difference from “あく” is that “すく” focuses on the low density of people or objects within a broader space.
It gives the impression that the whole area feels relaxed or has plenty of room.

[Examples]
休日きゅうじつにもかかわらず、高速こうそく道路どうろは空すいていました。
Despite it being a holiday, the highway was not crowded.
⇒ Describes a situation where there were few cars on a large space like a highway.

朝あさは電車でんしゃが空すいています。
Trains are usually not crowded in the morning.
⇒ Indicates that there are few people on the train.

この時間じかんはいつも空すいていますよ。
It’s usually not crowded at this time.
⇒ Expresses that there are few people or things during this time slot, giving the space a sense of openness.

Let’s Compare

“空く” can be read as either “あく” or “すく,” and the correct reading depends on the image of the situation or condition being described.
Look at the illustration below and think about whether each of the red circles, ① and ②, corresponds to “あく” or “すく.”

The correct answers are: ① “あく” / ② “すく.”
Keep this image in mind as we take a closer look at how to tell the difference.

[Tips for Telling “あく” and “すく” Apart]

① Learn common word combinations
Sometimes you can determine the correct reading based on the words that typically go with it.

電車でんしゃ (train)：○「電車でんしゃがすいている (The train is not crowded)」×「電車でんしゃがあいている」
部屋へや(room)：○「部屋へやがあいている (The room is available)」×「部屋へやがすいている」

② Visualize based on context
“あく” refers to a specific place or time that is unused or vacant. (＝empty and ready to be used)
“すく” describes a state where there are few people or things in a wide space.

However, depending on the context, either reading may be correct.
For example: “この時間じかんは空いている”
→ If it means “there’s no appointment or plan,” then it’s “あいている”.
→ If it means “there are few people or cars,” then it’s “すいている”.

So it’s important to understand the situation and intent clearly.

Now, let’s try some practice!

[Example ①]
A：明日あす10時じはいかがでしょうか？
B：その時間じかんは空いています。
⇒ Correct reading: “あいている” = There’s no appointment scheduled for that specific time slot.

[Example ②]
A：車くるまが少すくなくて快適かいてきですね。
B：この時間じかんは比較ひかく的てき、空いているんですよ。
⇒ Correct reading: “すいている” = Refers to the time when there are relatively few cars on the road.

Summary

• To tell the readings apart, it’s effective to remember “空く” together with the words it’s commonly used with.
• It’s also important to imagine the situation based on context.
  → “あく” gives the image of a specific place or time being unused or vacant.
  → “すく” describes a state where there are few people or things in a wide space.
• Some words can be read as either “あく” or “すく,” so in those cases, you need to understand the meaning from the context.

Similer Articles

---

▼ Subscribe to Our Newsletter ▼

Receive free tips for learning Japanese!

Comment for any questions!