How to Say "Black" in Bengali

কালো

kalō/kalo/

The English word "black" is translated into Bengali as কালো (kalō).

The adjective কালো is used to describe something that is the color black, absorbing all light.

Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)

Which one should you use?

The colloquial phrase কুচকুচে কালো is used to describe something that is pitch black or intensely black.

The word is pronounced as /kalo/ (kalō).

The word কালো is a cognate of the Sanskrit word কাল, which means both 'black' and 'time'. This reflects an ancient philosophical link between the darkness of the void and the inevitable passage of time.
In Bengali culture, the color কালো is often associated with the deity goddess Kali, who represents both destruction and liberation. She is traditionally depicted with dark skin to symbolize the infinite nature of the universe.
The phrase কুচকুচে কালো uses the word কুচকুচে, which is an onomatopoeic expression. It mimics a crisp or sharp sound to emphasize the 'sharpness' and intensity of the black color.

আমি কালো পছন্দ করি।
I prefer black.
This sentence shows how to express a preference for the color কালো.
Tatoeba #5692673 by tanay, translation #5222698 by AlanF_US
সে একটা কালো টুপি পরেছিল।
She was wearing a black hat.
This sentence demonstrates the use of কালো when describing an item of clothing.
Tatoeba #3200559 by tanay, translation #2111 by CK
বাইরেটা একদম কুচকুচে কালো।
It's pitch black outside.
This sentence uses কালো to describe the intensity of darkness outside.
Tatoeba #5625319 by tanay, translation #1053374 by CK
সে একটি সুন্দর কালো পোশাক পরছে।
She is wearing a beautiful black dress.
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Anirban and Ishani are choosing a color for a new car.

ইশানি Ishani

তোমার কি কালো রঙের গাড়ি পছন্দ?
Tomar ki kalo ronger gari pochondo?
Do you like black cars?
অনির্বাণ Anirban

হ্যাঁ, কালো রং খুব সুন্দর দেখায়।
Hyan, kalo rong khub sundor dekhay.
Yes, black color looks very beautiful.
ইশানি Ishani

তাহলে আমরা কালো গাড়িটিই কিনব।
Tahole amra kalo gariti-i kinbo.
Then we will buy the black car.
অনির্বাণ Anirban

ঠিক আছে, আমি একমত।
Thik ache, ami ekmot.
Alright, I agree.

Sources

Wiktionary, “black” translations and entries কালো, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries কালো, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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