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March 24, 2026
黯àn(an4)
The character 黯 (àn) primarily means 'dark' or 'black,' often used to describe a lack of light or brightness. It can also convey a sense of gloominess or dullness, both in terms of color and emotional tone, such as feeling sullen or dreary.
Strokes21Radical音Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry, the use of dark imagery often symbolizes sadness or introspection, making 黯 a powerful character in expressing complex emotions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dark, cloudy night (the character's dark components) where the moon is hidden, creating a sense of gloom. The sound 'àn' can remind you of 'aunt' who always dresses in dark colors, reinforcing the idea of darkness.
Meanings of 黯
àn(an4)
1 black; dark; sullen, dreary
2deep black
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 黯
黯Simplified
21Strokes
音Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 黯
Podcast: 黯
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AI Study Notes for 黯
Quick Contrast
暗 (àn) - use 黯 (àn) for a more poetic or emotional sense of darkness, while 暗 (àn) is more commonly used for physical darkness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dark, cloudy night (the character's dark components) where the moon is hidden, creating a sense of gloom. The sound 'àn' can remind you of 'aunt' who always dresses in dark colors, reinforcing the idea of darkness.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 黯 with other similar characters that describe darkness, like 黑 (hēi), which is more straightforward for 'black.' This character is often used in more literary or formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although not part of the HSK curriculum, understanding 黯 can enhance your vocabulary around emotions and colors. Focus on how it connects with related words like 暗 (àn, dark) and 黑 (hēi, black) to deepen your understanding of shades and nuances.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry, the use of dark imagery often symbolizes sadness or introspection, making 黯 a powerful character in expressing complex emotions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 黯 with the more common 黑 (hēi). For example, saying '我喜欢黯的颜色' (wǒ xǐhuān àn de yánsè) to mean 'I like black colors' is incorrect; it should be '我喜欢黑的颜色.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 黯
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Grammar Patterns of 黯
黯 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 2
Complete the Sentence
或是____淡如冬,我只能如此说.
Summer or winter aught I can say.
Example Sentences for 黯 (1)
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1
或是黯淡如冬,我只能如此说.
huò shì àn dàn rú dōng, , wǒ zhī néng rú cǐ.
Summer or winter aught I can say.
Cultural Notes for 黯
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature and poetry, the use of dark imagery often symbolizes sadness or introspection, making 黯 a powerful character in expressing complex emotions.
Word Family of 黯
Words Containing This Character5
黯淡dark
黯然dim
黯然失色to lose one's splendor
黯àndark
黯然销魂overwhelming sadness (idiom); sorrow at parting黯然銷魂
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 黯淡 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 黯
The pronunciation is àn, with a falling tone, so make sure to emphasize the tone when saying it.
Yes, it can describe someone's mood as 'sullen' or 'gloomy,' but it’s less common to describe a person's appearance.
No, it's more often found in literary contexts rather than everyday speech.
