Meanings of 黯
By ear
Play it, then pick what 黯 means.
About 黯
Podcast: 黯
Podcast: 黯
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 黯
暗 (àn) - use 黯 (àn) for a more poetic or emotional sense of darkness, while 暗 (àn) is more commonly used for physical darkness.
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.
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.
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.'
Pronunciation of 黯
Drill the tone of 黯, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 黯 to you
Let me explain 黯 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 黯 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 黯?
Learning Lab
Knowing 黯 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 黯
Phonosemantic compound. 黑 represents the meaning and 音 represents the sound.
black
Origin
黯 = 黑 + 音. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 黯
Parts
Which of these is part of 黯?
How to say black; dark; sullen, dreary in Chinese
“black; dark; sullen, dreary” in Chinese is黯
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.
When to use 黯
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.
黯 or something close to it
暗 (àn) - use 黯 (àn) for a more poetic or emotional sense of darkness, while 暗 (àn) is more commonly used for physical darkness.
What learners get wrong
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.'
Write 黯
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 黯 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
或是____淡如冬,我只能如此说.
Summer or winter aught I can say.
Example sentences for 黯 (1)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 黯?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 黯
Words with 黯
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.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 黯?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.