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漆黑的
qī hēi de
pitch-black
外面一片漆黑的夜晚，什么也看不见。
Outside was a pitch-black night; nothing could be seen.
literary
completely dark; pitch-black
漆黑的天空中，星星闪烁着微弱的光。
In the pitch-black sky, stars twinkled faintly.
Often used to describe darkness that is so deep it feels oppressive or unrelenting.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoiding Literal Translation Traps
Do not confuse '漆黑的' with '黑色的' (black). While both mean 'black,' '漆黑的' specifically emphasizes the depth and intensity of the darkness, often with a sense of foreboding or unease. For example, '黑色的夜晚' (a black night) is neutral, but '漆黑的夜晚' (a pitch-black night) suggests an oppressive or unsettling darkness.
Gold Rule
When to Use '漆黑的'
Use '漆黑的' when describing darkness that feels all-encompassing or oppressive. It is stronger than '黑暗的' (dark) and carries a more vivid, almost tangible quality to the darkness. Avoid using it for neutral or positive descriptions of darkness.
Word Origin
The word '漆' (qī) originally meant 'lacquer' or 'pitch' (a dark, viscous substance), while '黑' (hēi) means 'black'. The compound '漆黑' combines these to emphasize an extreme degree of darkness, likening it to the color of lacquer or pitch.
Usage Notes
While '漆黑的' can describe physical darkness, it is often used metaphorically to describe situations or emotions that feel overwhelmingly negative or hopeless, such as '漆黑的未来' (a pitch-black future, implying despair).
Word Breakdown
漆
lacquer; pitch (a dark substance)
root黑
black
root的
possessive particle (adjectival suffix)
suffix汉英词典