тёмный
tjómnyj[ˈtʲɵmnɨj]
The English word "dark" is translated into Russian as тёмный (tjómnyj).
The adjective тёмный is used to describe something that has an absolute or relative lack of light. For describing twilight, you can use the adjective сумеречный. While тёмный is an adjective, the noun forms related to a lack of light include тьма, темнота́ and мрак. Additionally, the noun неве́дение refers to the concept of ignorance.
Meaning: having an absolute or relative lack of light (adj)
Which one should you use?
While тёмный is the adjective used to describe a dark object, the adverb темно́ is used to state the condition that it is dark, such as saying "it is dark in the room".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective тёмный changes its ending to agree with the gender and number of the noun it describes: use тёмная for feminine nouns like комната, тёмное for neuter nouns like небо and тёмные for plural nouns like глаза. Note that Темнота describes darkness specifically as a state or absence of light.
How do you pronounce it?
tjómnyj
Did you know?
- In a social context, calling a person тёмный does not mean they are physically dark, but rather that they are uneducated or 'in the dark' regarding culture and science.
- To describe a 'dark' person in terms of complexion, Russians use тёмный for hair and eyes, but will use смуглый specifically for tanned or naturally dark skin.
- The phrase тёмная лошадка literally means 'dark horse' and is used to describe a person whose talents or secrets are unknown to others.
Examples in context
- Я люблю тёмный шоколад.I like dark chocolate.This sentence uses тёмный to describe dark chocolate.Tatoeba #3329841 by odexed, translation #2901149 by Hybrid
- У Тома тёмный цвет кожи.Tom has dark skin.This sentence uses тёмный to describe skin color.Tatoeba #2236459 by corvard, translation #1177522 by CK
- На нём был тёмный свитер.He wore a dark sweater.This sentence uses тёмный to describe a sweater.Tatoeba #2885015 by Selena777, translation #296447 by CK
- В комнате было темно.The room was dark.
- Темная ночь скрывала все вокруг.The dark night concealed everything around.
- Темный дождливый день наполнил его сердце грустью.The dark rainy day filled his heart with sadness.
- На улице уже стало черно.It has already become dark outside.
- Света нет, полностью черно.There is no light, it's completely dark.
- Я боюсь темноты.I'm afraid of the dark.
- Это место полно неведомой темноты.This place is full of unknown darkness.
- Они жили в маленькой деревенской хижине, окруженной непроглядной темнотой.They lived in a small country cottage surrounded by impenetrable darkness.
- Мрачная ночь была полна загадок.The gloomy night was full of mysteries.
- Они сидели в сумеречной тишине, глядя на закат.They sat in twilight silence, watching the sunset.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are walking home at night.
- Дмитрий DmitryЗдесь стало очень тёмный.Zdes' stalo ochen' tyomnyy.It has become very dark here.
- Мария MariaДа, я почти ничего не вижу.Da, ya pochti nichego ne vizhu.Yes, I can barely see anything.
- Дмитрий DmitryПодожди, я включу фонарик.Podozhdi, ya vklyuchu fonarik.Wait, I will turn on the flashlight.
- Мария MariaСпасибо, Дима, так лучше.Spasibo, Dima, tak luchshe.Thanks, Dima, that's better.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dark” translations and entries тёмный, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
