Looking up...
黑暗
hēi àn
darkness
房间里一片黑暗。
The room was pitch dark.
general
The absence of light; darkness.
黑暗中，我摸索着找到门把手。
In the darkness, I groped for the doorknob.
Can also metaphorically refer to ignorance or confusion.
figurative
A state of ignorance, confusion, or lack of understanding.
他对这件事的真相仍然处于黑暗中。
He is still in the dark about the truth of the matter.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative Use
黑暗 can refer to physical darkness or metaphorical ignorance. Context usually clarifies the intended meaning.
Word Origin
Combination of 黑 (hēi, 'black') and 暗 (àn, 'dark'), both referring to the absence of light.
Usage Notes
Can be used both literally to describe physical darkness and figuratively to describe ignorance or confusion.
Word Breakdown
黑
black
root暗
dark
root汉英词典