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黑
hēi
black
这件衣服是黑色的。
This shirt is black.
general
The color black; the absence of light.
天空是黑色的，因为现在是晚上。
The sky is black because it's night.
Can also describe dark colors or lack of light.
figurative
Dark or evil in nature; sinister.
他有黑心，总是欺骗别人。
He has a black heart and always deceives people.
Used metaphorically to describe negative traits.
informal
Illegal or underground activities.
黑市上可以买到稀缺的商品。
You can buy scarce goods on the black market.
Often used in phrases like 黑市 (black market).
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Color vs. Figurative Use
黑 can mean the color black or describe something as evil or illegal.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
Always consider the context to determine if 黑 is used literally or figuratively.
Word Origin
From Middle Chinese *xok, meaning 'black' or 'dark'.
Usage Notes
Can be used literally for the color or figuratively for negative connotations.
Word Breakdown
黑
black
root汉英词典