黲 (cǎn) - Dark grey & greyish-black

黲Tone 3

cǎn ｜ 23 strokes ｜ radical:

偲嫦

黲 · cǎn

Dark grey;

greyish-black;

dim;

obscure;

also used to describe a pale or sallow complexion.

Dark greygreyish-blackdim

Usage highlights

Dark greyPale complexionDim and obscureGreyishDark and gloomyFaint and indistinct

Synonyms

  • 暗— dark; dim
  • 灰— grey
  • 淡— pale; faint

Antonyms

  • 明— bright; clear
  • 亮— bright; shining
  • 鲜— bright; vivid

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sky turned dark grey (天色黲淡).
  • His face looked pale and sallow (面色黲白).
  • The old manuscript had dim, obscure characters (字迹黲淡).
  • A greyish-black mist (黲黑色的雾).

Collocations

  • Dark grey(黲色)
  • Pale complexion(黲白)
  • Dim and obscure(黲淡)
  • Greyish-black(黲黑)
  • Dark and gloomy(黲暗)
  • Faint and indistinct(黲昧)

Idioms

  • Dim and obscure(黲淡无光)
  • Pale and sallow(面色黲白)
  • Gloomy and dark(黲暗不明)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese literature to describe dim, obscure, or gloomy scenes.
  • Associated with negative or melancholic imagery, such as a pale complexion or dark, overcast weather.
  • Rare in modern usage, primarily found in poetic or descriptive contexts.

FAQ