黒色
kokushoku[ko̞kɯ̟ɕo̞kɯ̟]
The English phrase "color black" is translated into Japanese as 黒色 (kokushoku), which specifically refers to the darkest possible shade.
黒色 refers to black as a specific color concept or a technical shade. In most daily contexts, when you simply want to name the color itself, the standard noun is 黒.
Which one should you use?
While 黒色 refers to the color as a formal concept or a specific shade, the shorter form 黒 is the standard noun used to name the color in most general contexts. For an even more intense description, you can use 真っ黒, which means "pitch black" or "jet black".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use black as an adjective to describe a noun, such as "a black car", you should use the adjective form 黒い.
How do you pronounce it?
kokushoku
Did you know?
- In Japanese gambling and legal contexts, the word 黒 is used to mean 'guilty' or 'proven to be the culprit'. This contrasts with 白, which means 'innocent'.
- The concept of black in Japanese aesthetics often aligns with 'wabi-sabi', where the deep, dark shadows are seen as a way to highlight the beauty and texture of an object. Instead of being seen as a 'void', black is a way to define space and depth.
- The kanji for black, 黒, is often used in the phrase 黒白をつける, which literally means 'to distinguish between black and white' but is actually used to mean 'to settle a matter' or 'to decide who is right and wrong'.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are choosing a new bag together.
- 美咲 Misakiどの色が一番いいと思う？dono iro ga ichiban ii to omou?Which color do you think is the best?
- 蓮 Renやっぱり黒色が一番かっこいいよ。yappari kokushoku ga ichiban kakkoii yo.As I thought, black is the coolest.
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね。黒色にしよう。sou da ne. kokushoku ni shiyou.You're right. Let's go with black.
- 蓮 Renいい選択だと思うよ、美咲。ii sentaku da to omou yo, Misaki.I think that's a great choice, Misaki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 黒色, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
