1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “黒” (kuro) means “black.” It represents the color black and is often associated with darkness, mystery, and elegance in various contexts.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “黒” is a pictogram that originally depicted the color of charred objects or soot. It belongs to the category of ideograms as it conveys a specific concept related to color.
Radical: The radical for “黒” is also “黒,” which is used in other kanji related to darkness or color.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “黒” are:
- 黒猫 (kuro neko) – black cat
- 黒い (kuroi) – black (adjective)
- 黒板 (kokuban) – blackboard
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼は黒い服を着ています。 (Kare wa kuroi fuku o kiteimasu.) – He is wearing black clothes.
- 黒猫は幸運をもたらすと言われています。 (Kuroneko wa kouun o motarasu to iwareteimasu.) – It is said that black cats bring good luck.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “暗” (an), which means “dark” but emphasizes the absence of light rather than the color itself.
Antonyms: The antonym of “黒” is “白” (shiro), which means “white.” While “黒” represents darkness, “白” represents light and purity.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, the color black is often associated with formality and elegance, as seen in traditional clothing like the black kimono worn at formal events.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common idiom is “黒い心” (kuroi kokoro), which means “a black heart,” referring to someone with malicious intentions.