About
The character "暗" originates from the phonetic element "音" (sound), which initially contributed both sound and meaning, suggesting a hushed or silent quality, while the "日" (sun) radical was added later to clarify its association with darkness or the absence of light. Over time, its core meaning shifted from an auditory obscurity, implied by the quiet connotation of "音", to a purely visual one, solidifying its definition as dim, hidden, or dark. This evolution is further illustrated by its traditional variant "闇", which shares the same "音" component enclosed by a "門" (gate) radical, emphasizing a darkness so profound it is conceptually shut away or confined. The character's structure thus reflects a conceptual transition where its original phonetic hint became semantically distant, leaving the sun radical to carry the primary meaning of obscured luminosity.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这个房间很暗。
晚上没有灯很暗。
他在暗中帮助我。
她暗示我离开。
黑暗中有奇怪的声音。
我们用了暗号联系。
他暗地里做了很多准备。
在暗淡的月光下他慢慢走着。