暗 (àn) - dark & dim

暗Tone 4

àn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

安傲

暗 · àn

dark;

dim;

hidden;

secret;

unclear;

ignorant;

in the dark

darkdimhidden

Usage highlights

dark roomsecretlydark colordim lightsecret agenthidden danger

Synonyms

  • 黑— black; dark (more literal color)
  • 晦— dark; obscure; unlucky
  • 幽— dim; secluded; deep

Antonyms

  • 明— bright; clear; obvious
  • 亮— bright; shining; illuminated
  • 光— light; radiance

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The room is very dark (房间很暗).
  • He secretly helped her (他暗中帮助她).
  • This color is too dark (这个颜色太暗了).
  • I'm completely in the dark about this matter (我对这件事很暗昧).

Collocations

  • dark room(暗室)
  • secretly(暗中)
  • dark color(暗色)
  • dim light(暗光)
  • secret agent(暗探)
  • hidden danger(暗礁)

Idioms

  • Bright and dark, advance and retreat(明暗进退)
  • Fight openly and attack secretly(明争暗斗)
  • Understand in heart but not speak out(心照不宣)
  • Dark fragrance and sparse shadows(暗香疏影)
  • Dark arrows hard to guard against(暗箭难防)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese philosophy, 'dark' (暗) often contrasts with 'bright' (明), representing ignorance versus enlightenment.
  • The character appears in many terms related to secrecy, espionage, and hidden dangers in traditional literature.
  • In art and poetry, 'dark fragrance' (暗香) is a celebrated aesthetic concept describing subtle, elusive beauty.

FAQ