What is the Kanji for 'Darkness'? | 暗

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Darkness', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Darkness' is 暗.

kanji

暗

Meaning

Darkness

Reading

kunyomiくら

kura

onyomiあん

Parts

音Sound 日Day, Sun

Example Word

暗い: dark or gloomy. The Japanese adjective '暗い (くらい)' primarily means 'dark', referring to a lack of light. It can also mean 'gloomy', describing a somber or depressing atmosphere. For example: The room is dark「部屋が暗い」(へやがくらい). His mood is gloomy「彼の気分は暗い」(かれのきぶんはくらい). This word is often used to describe physical darkness, such as a dark room or night, as well as emotional states or situations that feel heavy or depressing. Note that the second meaning is distinct and unrelated to the first, as it refers to an emotional or atmospheric quality rather than a physical one.

Radical

日

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

341

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 暗

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

kanji

音

Meaning

Sound

kanji

日

Meaning

Day, Sun

Words Using 暗

This kanji is used in 4 words:

word

真っ暗

Meaning

Pitch dark

word

暗い

Meaning

Dark, Gloomy

word

暗記

Meaning

Memorization

word

薄暗い

Meaning

Dim

Kanji Related to 暗 Through the Part 音

These 4 kanji contain the part 音 as well.

kanji

意

Meaning

Idea

kanji

響

Meaning

Echo, Reverberate

kanji

韻

Meaning

Rhyme

kanji

闇

Meaning

Darkness

Kanji Related to 暗 Through the Part 日

These 61 kanji contain the part 日 as well.

kanji

早

Meaning

Early, Fast

kanji

音

Meaning

Sound

kanji

白

Meaning

White

kanji

時

Meaning

Time, Hour

kanji

曜

Meaning

Weekday

kanji

春

Meaning

Spring

kanji

間

Meaning

Interval, Space

kanji

東

Meaning

East

kanji

星

Meaning

Star

kanji

門

Meaning

Gate

kanji

書

Meaning

Write

kanji

晴

Meaning

Clear

kanji

明

Meaning

Bright

kanji

電

Meaning

Electricity

kanji

晩

Meaning

Evening, Nightfall

kanji

暑

Meaning

Hot

kanji

者

Meaning

Someone

kanji

暖

Meaning

Warm

kanji

映

Meaning

Reflect

kanji

単

Meaning

Simple, Single

kanji

昨

Meaning

Yesterday, Previous

kanji

昔

Meaning

Old times

kanji

申

Meaning

Report

kanji

曲

Meaning

Music, Bend

kanji

普

Meaning

Universal, Widespread

kanji

易

Meaning

Easy

kanji

暇

Meaning

Free time, Spare time

kanji

旬

Meaning

Decameron

kanji

温

Meaning

Warm

kanji

歴

Meaning

Curriculum, Continuation

kanji

厚

Meaning

Thick, Kind

kanji

昭

Meaning

Shining

kanji

景

Meaning

Scene

kanji

掲

Meaning

Hoist, Display, Hold up

kanji

漠

Meaning

Vague, Desert

kanji

暴

Meaning

Violent, Outburst

kanji

暮

Meaning

Livelihood

kanji

稲

Meaning

Rice plant

kanji

曇

Meaning

Cloudy

kanji

昇

Meaning

Ascend, Rise up

kanji

渇

Meaning

Thirst, Parched

kanji

喝

Meaning

Hoarse, Shout at

kanji

旨

Meaning

Purport, Delicious

kanji

旧

Meaning

Old, Past

kanji

褐

Meaning

Brown, Woollen kimono

kanji

暦

Meaning

Calendar, Almanac

kanji

暫

Meaning

A while, Temporarily

kanji

香

Meaning

Fragrance

kanji

冒

Meaning

Risk

kanji

晶

Meaning

Crystal

kanji

昆

Meaning

Descendants, Insects

kanji

是

Meaning

Right, Absolutely

kanji

謁

Meaning

Audience with the, Audience

kanji

暁

Meaning

Dawn

kanji

亀

Meaning

Turtle

kanji

曽

Meaning

Formerly

kanji

昧

Meaning

Dark, Foolish

kanji

冥

Meaning

Dark

kanji

曖

Meaning

Dark, Not clear

kanji

旺

Meaning

Effulgent

kanji

旦

Meaning

Dawn

Learn the Kanji 暗

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 暗 mean?

暗 means 'Darkness'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.