Quick answer
暗 is the kanji for "Darkness". The most common reading is くら.い (kurai). Mnemonics and example sentences are listed below.
Meaning
Darkness
Also : Shade · Disappear · Grow dark
Learn 暗 with SRS
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
13 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 暗 represents 'DARKNESS'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of darkness.
On-reading: あん — remember this sound by associating it with darkness. Kun-reading: くら.い.
Example Sentences
暗い部屋で読書するのは目に悪いです。
くらいへやでどくしょするのはめにわるいです。
Reading in a dark room is bad for your eyes.
暗記が苦手ですが練習しています。
あんきがにがてですがれんしゅうしています。
I'm bad at memorization but I'm practicing.
Vocabulary using 暗
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jul 4, 2026
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