暗

JLPT N3

dark

Readings

On’yomi: アン (an)

Kun’yomi: くら(い) (kura(i))

• くら(い) – dark, gloomy

Structure

Radical: Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Composition: Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Detailed Explanation

Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Mnemonic

Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Etymology

Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Visual Tip

Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Vocabulary

暗い

くらい

dark

暗号

あんごう

code

暗記

あんき

memorization

暗闇

くらやみ

darkness

暗殺

あんさつ

assassination

Example Sentences

部屋が暗いです。

へやがくらいです。

The room is dark.

暗号です。

あんごうです。

It is a code.

暗記します。

あんきします。

I memorize.

暗闇です。

くらやみです。

It is darkness.

暗殺です。

あんさつです。

It is assassination.

Cultural Note

🌌 The word 暗 also carries emotional meaning in Japanese. 暗い人 (kurai hito) can describe a person who seems gloomy or reserved. In contrast, someone “明るい” (akarui) is cheerful and bright. The contrast of 明 (light) and 暗 (dark) often symbolizes the balance of yin and yang — a key concept in Eastern thought.