1. Kanji Breakdown: 暗
Meaning: Dark, gloomy; hidden, secret; to memorize.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): アン (an)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): くら（い） (kura(i))
The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). It consists of two parts:
Left (日): This means "sun."
Right (音): This means "sound."
The core concept is "the sun is obscured, leaving only sound." In the absence of light, vision fails and other senses like hearing become primary. This evokes a powerful image of darkness and a lack of clarity, which extends to meanings like "unclear," "gloomy," and "secret."
2. Stroke Order and Writing (12 Strokes)
Correct stroke order is essential for balanced and legible kanji.
Stroke Order Diagram:
Start with the left radical "日" (sun):
Then, write the right part "音" (sound):
Key Writing Tips:
Write from left to right, top to bottom.
The left radical "日" is narrow.
The right part "音" is wider. Ensure the final horizontal stroke is the longest, providing a stable base.
The overall character should be balanced and square.
3. Core Meanings & Example Sentences
Here are the primary meanings of "暗" with common vocabulary and practical example sentences.
A. Dark / Gloomy (くらいい)
暗い (くらい, kurai)
Meaning: Dark, gloomy (adjective).
Example: この部屋はとても暗い。
English: This room is very dark.
暗室 (あんしつ, anshitsu)
Meaning: Darkroom (for photography).
Example: 写真の現像は暗室で行う。
English: Developing photos is done in a darkroom.
B. Secret / Unclear (アン)
暗号 (あんごう, angō)
Meaning: Code, cipher, secret password.
Example: メッセージを暗号で送信する。
English: Send the message in code.
暗示 (あんじ, anji)
Meaning: Hint, suggestion, implication.
Example: 彼は暗示によってその答えを見つけた。
English: He found the answer through a hint.
C. To Memorize (アン)
暗記 (あんき, anki)
Meaning: Memorization, learning by heart.
Example: この詩を暗記しなければならない。
English: I have to memorize this poem.
Summary
Kanji: 暗
Core Meaning: Dark; Secret; to Memorize.
Keyword: Darkness, Obscurity.
Readings: On'yomi アン (an), Kun'yomi くらい (kurai)
Stroke Order: 12 strokes. Structure: 日 (sun) + 音 (sound).
This character is fundamental for describing physical darkness, abstract concepts like secrets, and the mental process of memorization. Mastering "暗" is essential for building a strong Japanese vocabulary.