Definitions

àn (adjective) dark; gloomy
àn (adjective) hidden; secret
àn (adjective) muddled; obscure

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "暗" is structured with the semantic radical "日" (sun) and the phonetic component "音" (sound), indicating its etymological link to the notion of obscured sunlight resulting in darkness. Originally denoting the absence of light, its meaning broadened in classical usage to encompass abstract senses such as obscurity, secrecy, or something unclear, as applied to knowledge or actions. The modern character continues to employ these components, with its pronunciation adhering to shifts in the language, while its semantic range covers both literal darkness and metaphorical hiddenness.

Example Sentences Hide

这个房间很

Zhège fángjiān hěn àn.

This room is very dark.

晚上没有灯很

Wǎnshàng méiyǒu dēng hěn àn.

It is very dark at night without lights.

他在中帮助我。

Tā zài ànzhōng bāngzhù wǒ.

He is helping me secretly.

示我离开。

Tā ànshì wǒ líkāi.

She hinted for me to leave.

中有奇怪的声音。

Hēi'àn zhōng yǒu qíguài de shēngyīn.

There is a strange sound in the darkness.

我们用了号联系。

Wǒmen yòng le ànhào liánxì.

We used a secret signal to contact.

地里做了很多准备。

Tā àndì lǐ zuò le hěnduō zhǔnbèi.

He made a lot of preparations secretly.

淡的月光下他慢慢走着。

Zài àndàn de yuèguāng xià tā mànman zǒu zhe.

Under the dim moonlight, he walked slowly.