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)

Related Words

Related: 暗(くら)い (dark (adjective))

Related: 闇(やみ) (darkness, the dark)

Compare: 暗黒(あんこく) (pitch-black darkness)

Related: 真(ま)っ暗(くら) (pitch dark)

Compare: 夜道(よみち) (road at night)

Compare: 暗中(あんちゅう) (in the dark)

general

Added 2026.2.22 21:37 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

12500/12859_kurayami