暗い — meaning in English: dark

kurai · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for dark

暗い

kurai

フェデレーション

federēshon

ポスト

posuto

従業員

jūgyōin

階層

kaisō

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 暗い (kurai) when describing a dimly lit room, such as a living space during the evening or a less illuminated corner of a park. It’s also used metaphorically in conversations about mood, like saying someone is feeling 暗い (kurai) when they are down or depressed.

Synonyms & nuances

One synonym for 暗い (kurai) is 薄暗い (usugurai), which means 'dim.' While 暗い suggests a deeper level of darkness, 薄暗い carries a nuance of something that is not completely dark, like twilight. Choosing between the two depends on how intense the darkness is you want to convey.

Culture

The Japanese language often uses colors and light metaphorically. The word 暗い (kurai) not only refers to physical darkness but also reflects emotional states in Japanese culture. Interestingly, the kanji 暗 (an) represents 'dark' and is frequently found in words related to secrecy and mystery, such as 暗号 (angou), meaning 'cipher' or 'code.'

FAQ

Q.What is the meaning of 暗い in English?

The word 暗い (kurai) translates to 'dark' in English. It can describe both physical darkness, like a dark room, and metaphorical darkness, such as a gloomy mood.

Q.How do you use 暗い in a sentence?

You can use 暗い (kurai) in sentences like 'この部屋は暗いです' (Kono heya wa kurai desu), meaning 'This room is dark.' It’s a straightforward way to describe lighting conditions.

Q.Are there any common mistakes with 暗い?

A common mistake is using 暗い (kurai) when describing something that is merely shadowed or shaded, rather than truly dark. In such cases, consider using 薄暗い (usugurai) for a more accurate description.

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