黯 meaning and stroke order
Black; dark; sullen, dreary
How to write 黯, stroke by stroke
21 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 黯
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (bound form) dark; dull (color); dim; gloomy
How 黯 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Black.
黑 gives the meaning and 音 hints at the sound.
Radical: 音 (sound), shared by 6 characters on this site.
How to remember 黯
黯 puts 黑 (hēi, black) on the left for the meaning and 音 (yīn, sound) on the right as a sound hint. Picture a place so black that all you can do is listen for sounds.
黯 (àn) is a bound form, so it appears inside words and set phrases rather than alone. It is mostly literary and describes dim light, dull color, or a gloomy mood. Example: 他的眼神黯淡下来。(Tā de yǎnshén àndàn xiàlái.) The light in his eyes faded.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 黯 with the much more common 暗 (àn). Both are read àn and both mean dark, but 暗 has 日 (sun) on the left while 黯 has 黑 (black). In everyday writing 暗 is usually the safer choice.
Common words with 黯
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 黯淡 | àndàn | variant of 暗淡[an4 dan4] |
Questions about 黯
How many strokes are in 黯?
黯 is written with 21 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 黯 mean?
黯 (àn) means black; dark; sullen, dreary. A common word with it is 黯淡 (àndàn), meaning "variant of 暗淡[an4 dan4]".
How do you pronounce 黯?
黯 is pronounced àn, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 黯?
The radical of 黯 is 音, which carries the idea of "sound". Dictionaries list 黯 under this radical.
Is 黯淡 the same as 暗淡?
Yes, they mean the same thing: dim, faded, or bleak. 黯淡 is listed as a variant of 暗淡, and 暗淡 is the more common everyday spelling.
What does 黯然 mean?
黯然 (ànrán) describes a dejected or downcast state, often from sadness or loss. It is a literary word, as in 黯然神伤 (ànrán shénshāng), feeling sad and dispirited.