How to say "darkness" in Japanese

• 闇やみJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers darkness in the broadest sense: the dark of night, and figurative darkness such as evil, ignorance or despair. When 'the dark' is meant generally, or figuratively, this is the natural choice.
  闇やみとは光ひかりがないことです。↗

  Darkness is the absence of light.
• 暗闇くらやみCommon
  nounPhysical darkness: a place so dark that you cannot see, such as a room with the lights out or a moonless night. It is essentially literal, and figurative uses are secondary.
  暗闇くらやみの中なかで小ちいさな物ものが動うごいた。↗

  A tiny object moved in the dark.
• 暗黒あんこくCommon
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveDarkness as an abstract or figurative force: the darkness of evil, of a dark age, of despair. For the plain physical darkness of a dark room, 闇 or 暗闇 are the words you want.
  私は今いままさに最後さいごの旅路たびじにつき、暗黒あんこくへと一大いちだい飛躍ひやくしようとしている。↗

  I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark.

All three translate 'darkness': 闇 is the general word for the dark, literal or figurative; 暗闇 is physical darkness, a place you cannot see in; 暗黒 is abstract darkness — evil, dark times, despair.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 闇やみdarkness
• 暗闇くらやみdarkness
• 暗黒あんこくdarkness
• 暗あんdarkness
• 暗がりくらがりdarkness
• 晦冥かいめいdarkness
• 暗さくらさdarkness
• 昏冥こんめいdarkness
• 幽暗ゆうあんgloom
• 射干玉ぬばたまpitch-black
• 暗所あんしょdark place
• 陰かげgloom (in someone's expression, nature, etc.)