Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| dunkel | /ˈdʊŋkəl/ |
| finster | /ˈfɪnstɐ/ |
The adjective dunkel is used to describe an absolute or relative lack of light, and it is also used to describe dark colors, such as dunkelblau (dark blue). Related nouns include die Dunkelheit, which is the standard way to refer to the state of darkness and das Dunkel, which is used more poetically or to refer to a specific dark area. Das Dunkel can also refer to ignorance.
Which one should you use?
While dunkel is the standard word for dark, finster implies a more intense, often scary, pitch-black darkness. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a gloomy mood. Additionally, düster implies a sense of sadness or melancholy, often associated with a dark and gloomy mood.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a predicative adjective (for example, describing a subject directly like 'The room is dark'), dunkel does not take an ending. However, when used as an attributive adjective before a masculine or plural noun in the accusative case, it takes the ending -en, such as in einen dunklen Raum.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdʊŋkəl/
What mistakes should you avoid?
If you want to express that a place is simply poorly lit or has insufficient lighting, use schlecht beleuchtet instead of focusing solely on the darkness.
Did you know?
- The word dunkel is actually related to smoke and fumes. It stems from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰengʷ-, which refers to the act of smoking or fuming.
- The word finster is used in the expression finstere Gestalten, which refers to 'shady characters' or suspicious people who look like they belong in a crime novel.
- The word dunkel is used in the common idiom im Dunkeln tappen, which literally means 'to grope in the dark' but describes being completely clueless about a situation.
Examples in context
- Es ist zu dunkel.It's very dark.This sentence is useful for saying it is too dark.Tatoeba #1909556 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1476581 by Spamster
- Es ist so dunkel.It's so dark.This sentence is useful for saying it is so dark.Tatoeba #10244937 by wolfgangth, translation #2249247 by CK
- Es ist sehr dunkel.It is very dark.This sentence is useful for saying it is very dark.Tatoeba #1476585 by al_ex_an_der, translation #4206989 by User66640
- Der Raum ist dunkel.The room is dark.
- Die finstere Nacht war voller Geheimnisse.The dark night was full of secrets.
- Das düstere Wetter passt zu meiner Stimmung.The gloomy weather matches my mood.
- In Bayern wird es manchmal richtig duster.In Bavaria, it can get really dark sometimes.
- Es ist dunkel, weil die Sonne untergegangen ist.It is dark because the sun has set.
- Ich kann nichts sehen, der Raum ist schlecht beleuchtet.I can't see anything, the room is poorly lit.
- Die dunkle Höhle war unglaublich beeindruckend.The dark cave was incredibly impressive.
- Der Mann mit dem dunklen Haar war im Park unterwegs.The man with the dark hair was in the park.
- Das Zimmer war leicht düster, aber nicht komplett dunkel.The room was slightly gloomy but not completely dark.
- Der Himmel wurde allmählich finster, als der Sturm näherkam.The sky gradually became dark as the storm approached.
- 519 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are in a room during a power outage.
- JuliaEs ist hier drin sehr dunkel.It is very dark in here.
- FelixIch finde die Taschenlampe nicht.I cannot find the flashlight.
- JuliaIst es draußen auch so dunkel?Is it also this dark outside?
- FelixJa, es ist stockfinster.Yes, it is pitch dark.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dark” translations and entries dunkel, finster, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dunkel, finster, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
