黯 (àn) - Dark & dim

黯Tone 4

àn ｜ 21 strokes ｜ radical:

安傲

黯 · àn

Dark;

dim;

gloomy;

dejected;

sorrowful;

refers to a dull, dark color without brightness.

Darkdimgloomy

Usage highlights

Gloomy and dejectedDim and dullDark and somberDowncast expressionDeep sorrowGloomy atmosphere

Synonyms

  • 暗— dark; dim (more neutral, less emotional)
  • 昏— dusk; dim; confused
  • 幽— dark; secluded; serene

Antonyms

  • 明— bright; clear
  • 亮— bright; shining
  • 朗— bright; clear; loud and clear

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The room was dim and gloomy (房间很黯淡).
  • He felt dejected after the failure (他神色黯然).
  • The color has faded to a dull shade (颜色变得黯黑).
  • Her eyes were downcast with sorrow (她黯然地低下头).

Collocations

  • Gloomy and dejected(黯然)
  • Dim and dull(黯淡)
  • Dark and somber(黯黑)
  • Downcast expression(黯然失色)
  • Deep sorrow(黯然神伤)
  • Gloomy atmosphere(气氛黯然)

Idioms

  • Pale into insignificance(黯然失色)
  • Deeply grieved and downhearted(黯然神伤)
  • Gloomy and desolate(黯然销魂)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese literature, 黯 often describes both physical darkness and emotional melancholy.
  • The character appears frequently in poetry to convey sorrow, loss, or a somber mood.
  • It carries a literary and somewhat archaic flavor in modern usage.

FAQ