How to say "pitch-dark" in Japanese

• 真っ暗まっくらJLPT N2approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers the everyday sense of pitch-dark: a place in total darkness. The common, neutral word for a room with the lights off; figuratively it also describes a situation or outlook that seems utterly dark.
  外そとは真っ暗まっくらだった。↗

  It was pitch black outside.
• 漆黒しっこくCommon
  no-adjectiveA formal or literary term, essentially a color word meaning jet-black; as pitch-dark it has a stygian, elevated flavor, suiting written descriptions of deep night rather than everyday remarks about a dark room.
  黒くろい天使てんしは、その漆黒しっこくの翼つばさを大おおきく広ひろげて、空そらへと舞い上まいあがる。↗

  The black angel spread those jet-black wings wide and flew up into the sky.

Choose 「真っ暗」 for ordinary, complete darkness in everyday speech, and 漆黒 for a formal or literary description of deep blackness or night, where its elevated tone fits written prose.

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

• 真っ暗まっくらpitch-dark
• 漆黒しっこくjet-black