blak
The English word black is translated into Jamaican as blak.
The term blak is used as an adjective to describe something that is absorbing all light.
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Did you know?
- In some contexts, blak can be used to describe a mood or a state of mind, such as feeling 'down' or depressed, which is not common in Standard English.
- Early Reggae lyrics often used blak as a political tool for liberation and pride rather than a simple visual description.
- The word blak occupies a unique linguistic space where it functions as both a direct descendant of English and a core component of a unique creole grammatical system.
Examples in context
- Im tall an' dahk-skinned.He is a tall and dark-skinned man.
- Im a colly man fram di country.He is a colly man from the countryside.
- Shi a pretty brownin' wid curly hair.She is a beautiful brownin' with curly hair.
- Di sky look blak even before di rain.The sky looks black even before the rain.
- Mi buy a blak shirt fi di party.I bought a black shirt for the party.
- Di coffee too blak fi mi taste.The coffee is too black for my taste.
Example conversation
Andre and Shanti are looking at clothes in a store.
- AndreYou like dis blak dress, Shanti?Do you like this black dress, Shanti?
- ShantiNo, it too dark.No, it is too dark.
- AndreBut blak look good pon you.But black looks good on you.
- ShantiMi prefer a lighter colour.I prefer a lighter color.
