Word in Japanese/nature
Darkness in Japanese
Darkness translates as 闇 (yami). Below is a full breakdown with stroke counts, alternate writings, an example sentence, and tattoo design notes.
What it means
闇 (yami, やみ) means darkness.
| Kanji | Meaning | Strokes | On'yomi | Kun'yomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 闇 | darkness, gloom | 17 | an | yami, kura(i) |
Alternate writings
Japanese often offers more than one valid kanji for a concept. The alternates below carry slightly different nuance — read them carefully before choosing.
complete darkness, pitch black, more emphatic two-character form
Compounds and related words
Common Japanese vocabulary built around this kanji.
| Word | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 暗闇 | kurayami | complete darkness |
| 闇市 | yamiichi | black market |
| 闇夜 | yamiyo | dark, moonless night |
Example sentence
心の闇と向き合う。
Kokoro no yami to mukiau.
To face the darkness within the heart.
Tattoo design notes
闇 is the standard kanji for darkness as both a physical and metaphorical state. The character contains 門 (gate) enclosing 音 (sound), originally meaning a gate so closed that only sound passes — evocative of total dark. It is visually heavy at 17 strokes, so size your tattoo accordingly. Often paired with 光 (hikari, light).
Cultural notes
闇 covers metaphorical darkness too — moral darkness, the dark side of human nature, secrecy. 闇市 (black market) and 闇社会 (criminal underworld) extend the metaphor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say darkness in Japanese?
Darkness in Japanese is 闇, romanised as yami and written in hiragana as やみ. 闇 covers metaphorical darkness too — moral darkness, the dark side of human nature, secrecy. 闇市 (black market) and 闇社会 (criminal underworld) extend the metaphor.
What does the kanji 闇 mean?
闇 means "darkness, gloom" (17 strokes; on'yomi: an; kun'yomi: yami, kura(i)). Together the word reads as yami.
What is the difference between 闇 and 暗闇?
闇 (yami) is the standard form: 闇 covers metaphorical darkness too — moral darkness, the dark side of human nature, secrecy. 闇市 (black market) and 闇社会 (criminal underworld) extend the metaphor.. 暗闇 (kurayami) is different — complete darkness, pitch black, more emphatic two-character form. Pick based on the exact nuance you want to convey.
Is 闇 a good kanji for a tattoo?
闇 is the standard kanji for darkness as both a physical and metaphorical state. The character contains 門 (gate) enclosing 音 (sound), originally meaning a gate so closed that only sound passes — evocative of total dark. It is visually heavy at 17 strokes, so size your tattoo accordingly. Often paired with 光 (hikari, light).
How do you write darkness in hiragana?
In hiragana, darkness is written as やみ, which represents the sound yami. The kanji form 闇 is used in everyday writing; hiragana is used when the kanji is too difficult, for emphasis, or in children's text.
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