Japanese word

暗闇

Pronunciation

Romajikurayami

Meaning

  • nounthe dark

Example

子どもは暗闇を怖がります。ko do mo wa kura yami o kowa ga ri ma su

The child is afraid of the dark.

Illustration for 暗闇 (the dark)

More examples

懐中電灯があれば、暗闇でも歩けます。kai chū den tō ga a re ba kura yami de mo aru ke ma su

With a flashlight, you can walk even in the dark.

Core concept

Describes a state or place where the absence of light makes things difficult or impossible to see.

Common phrases

  • 暗闇に慣れるkura yami ni na re ru

    get used to the dark

  • 暗闇を恐れるkura yami o oso re ru

    fear the dark

Similar words

闇yami: A general state of darkness that hides a place and may suggest mystery or danger.
暗がりkuragari: A shadowy or poorly lit place where objects are hard to recognize.
真っ暗闇makkurayami: A state of complete darkness in which almost nothing can be seen.

Definition in Japanese

光がなく、物の姿が見えない状態や場所。hikari ga na ku mono no sugata ga mi e na i jō tai ya ba sho

Word origin

The Japanese noun 暗闇 (kurayami, "darkness") combines 暗い (kurai, "dark") with 闇 (yami, "darkness") to name a dark state.

Usage tips

  • In English, "in the dark" can also mean lacking information, but 暗闇 (kurayami) refers to literal darkness.

Opposites

  • 明るさakarusabrightnessnoun

Word lists with this word