真っ暗|まっくらmakkura[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. na-adjective, nounpitch-dark; pitch-black; completely dark
   外そとは真っ暗まっくらだった。↗

   It was pitch black outside.
2. na-adjective, nounvery bleak (future); utterly hopeless

• SynonymダークNeutralA loanword for dark colours and gloom, as in 「ダークスーツ」; it leans toward colour and style.
• Synonym暗いくらいNeutralThe most common word for dark; 「真っ暗」 stresses total, pitch-black darkness where you cannot see your hand in front of you.
• Synonym暗黒あんこくWrittenA written, formal word for darkness, also used figuratively of a dark society, as in 「暗黒時代」; leans metaphorical.
• Related真っ黒まっくろNeutralDescribes a pitch-black colour, as in 「真っ黒に日焼け」; it is about colour, while 「真っ暗」 is about the absence of light.
• Related薄暗いうすぐらいNeutralMeans slightly dim, as in 「薄暗い部屋」; far milder in degree than 「真っ暗」.
• Antonym明るいあかるいNeutralMeans bright; the direct opposite of pitch-dark 「真っ暗」, it also describes a bright future.

Use 「真っ暗」 for total darkness or a bleak, hopeless outlook, as in 「目の前が真っ暗になる」. For ordinary darkness say 「暗い」, for dimness 「薄暗い」, for black colour 「真っ黒」; the opposite is 「明るい」.

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

1. 非常ひじょうに暗くらいこと。また、そのようなさま。
2. 先さきが見通みとおせないこと。