1.
dark ink; thick, deep-black sumi ink
Sumi ink ground to a deep, dark black, as opposed to 薄墨 (pale, watered-down ink). Used in calligraphy and traditional writing, and standard for congratulatory or formal correspondence.
濃墨で名前を書く。
I write the name in dark ink.
お祝いの手紙は濃墨で書くのが礼儀だ。
It is proper etiquette to write congratulatory letters in dark ink.
書道の先生は、力強い線には濃墨が欠かせないと言った。
The calligraphy teacher said that dark ink is essential for powerful strokes.
The counterpart of 薄墨 (pale ink). In traditional correspondence the depth of the ink carries meaning: deep black ink is used for happy or formal occasions, while pale ink signals mourning.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 濃墨で書く: to write in dark ink
- 濃墨を磨る: to grind (make) dark ink
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 薄墨: pale ink — watered-down gray ink, used for condolence letters.
- 墨汁: liquid sumi ink — ready-made bottled ink, as opposed to ink ground from an inkstick.