暗闇(くらやみ)

くらやみ
noun
darkness, the dark
1. darkness, the dark
Complete or near-complete absence of light. Used both literally for physical darkness and figuratively for a state of ignorance, despair, or uncertainty.
暗闇(くらやみ)の中(なか)で目(め)が覚(さ)めた。
I woke up in the darkness.
停電(ていでん)で部屋(へや)が暗闇(くらやみ)に包(つつ)まれた。
The room was engulfed in darkness due to the power outage.
暗闇(くらやみ)の中(なか)を手探(てさぐ)りで進(すす)んでいくしかなかった。
There was no choice but to grope our way forward through the darkness.

USAGE:
Refers to darkness as a state or space, not to the color black. Often used with に包(つつ)まれる (to be enveloped in), に沈(しず)む (to sink into), or の中(なか) (in the midst of). Can be used figuratively for emotional or psychological darkness.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 暗闇(くらやみ)に包(つつ)まれる: to be enveloped in darkness
  • 暗闇(くらやみ)の中(なか): in the dark
  • 暗闇(くらやみ)に目(め)が慣(な)れる: for one's eyes to adjust to the dark

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 闇(やみ): darkness (more literary, often figurative — corruption, the underworld)
  • 暗黒(あんこく): pitch-black darkness (more dramatic, literary)
general
Added 2026.2.22 21:37
12500/12859_kurayami