黒いバラ
kuroi bara
The English phrase "black rose" is translated into Japanese as 黒いバラ (kuroi bara).
The phrase is used to describe a rose that is black in color.
Which one should you use?
The term 黒薔薇 is also a widely accepted and straightforward way to say "black rose".
How do you pronounce it?
kuroi bara
Did you know?
- While バラ is the common phonetic spelling for 'rose', the kanji 薔薇 is so complex that many Japanese people cannot write it from memory and use the simpler script instead.
- Because a natural black rose does not exist, using 黒いバラ in a Japanese poem often functions as a metaphor for something impossible, mysterious, or even cursed.
- The aesthetic of 黒薔薇 is a central pillar of the Gothic Lolita fashion subculture in Harajuku, where it symbolizes a blend of aristocratic grace and melancholy.
Examples in context
- 彼女は美しい黒薔薇を手に持っていた。She was holding a beautiful black rose.
- 黒いバラはとても珍しいですね。Kuroi bara wa totemo mezurashii desu ne.Black roses are very rare, aren't they?
- 物語の中に黒いバラが出てきました。Monogatari no naka ni kuroi bara ga detekimashita.A black rose appeared in the story.
- 彼女は黒いバラの花束を贈りました。Kanojo wa kuroi bara no hanataba o okurimashita.She gave a bouquet of black roses.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are looking at a flower arrangement.
- 結衣 Yui見て、あそこに黒いバラがあるよ。Mite, asoko ni kuroi bara ga aru yo.Look, there is a black rose over there.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。不思議な色をしているね。Hontou da. Fushigi na iro o shite iru ne.You're right. It has a mysterious color.
- 結衣 Yui黒いバラはかっこいいと思うな。Kuroi bara wa kakkoii to omou na.I think black roses are cool.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。僕も好きだよ。Sou da ne. Boku mo suki da yo.I agree. I like them too.
