Japanese Word for
暗いkurai
dark · gloomy · dim
Readings
Meaning
Dark, gloomy, dim. 暗い (kurai) describes physical darkness and also a gloomy mood or personality. 闇 (yami) specifically refers to the deep darkness of night or the underworld.
Example words
暗闇
kurayami
darkness, pitch dark
闇
yami
darkness, the dark, underworld
暗黒
ankoku
darkness, the dark (figurative)
薄暗い
usugurai
dim, dusky, gloomy
暗示
anji
hint, suggestion (lit. dark indication)
明暗
meian
light and dark, brightness and shadow
闇 (yami) appears in many culturally significant phrases: 闇金 (yamikane — loan sharks, "dark money"), 闇市 (yamiichi — black market, "dark market"), and 闇落ち (yami-ochi — "falling into darkness," a term from anime/manga for a character turning villainous). Japan's art and literature have a rich tradition of exploring darkness and shadow.
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