闇|やみyami[2]odaka (tail-high)

1. no-adjectivedarkness; the dark
   闇やみとは光ひかりがないことです。↗

   Darkness is the absence of light.
2. nounbewilderment; despair; hopelessness
3. nounhidden place; secrecy; oblivion
4. no-adjectiveblack market; shady trading; underhand transactions; illegal channels

• Synonym暗黒あんこくWrittenA written-style word for darkness that also evokes social darkness and disorder, as in 「暗黒時代」; more literary than 「闇」.
• Synonym暗闇くらやみNeutralA place without light; its focus is physical darkness, whereas 「闇」 readily extends to secret or illegal dealings, as in 「闇市」.
• Synonym真っ暗闇まっくらやみNeutralPitch-black darkness where nothing is visible; it stresses the degree of darkness, while 「闇」 is a more general term.
• Synonym暗がりくらがりNeutralA dark corner or dim spot; it points to a place with little light rather than darkness at large.
• Related黒闇こくあんWrittenA literary word for deep darkness with Buddhist overtones; rarely seen in modern Japanese.
• Related晦冥かいめいWrittenA literary word for dimness where nothing is clearly visible; rare in modern Japanese.
• Related暗さくらさNeutralNames the degree or quality of darkness rather than a dark place.
• Antonym光ひかりNeutralLight or brightness, standing directly opposite to 「闇」.
• Antonym明るみあかるみNeutralA bright place, and by extension public view, as in 「明るみに出る」 — the opposite of the hidden 「闇」.

Use 「闇」 for darkness and for hidden or illegal worlds, as in 「闇の中」「闇バイト」. For physical darkness pick 「暗闇」, for pitch black 「真っ暗闇」, for social darkness 「暗黒」. For light use 「光」, for something coming into the open 「明るみ」.

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

1. 光ひかりがない状態じょうたい。暗くらいこと。
2. 比喩的ひゆてきに、ものが隠かくされている状態じょうたいや知識ちしきがない状態じょうたい。
3. 正規せいきの手続てつづきによらないこと