Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| obscurité | /ɔp.sky.ʁi.te/ | feminine |
| sombreur | dated | |
| ténèbres | /te.nɛbʁ/ | feminine, plural |
| noirceur | /nwaʁ.sœʁ/ | feminine |
The term used depends on whether you are describing a physical environment, a metaphorical concept or a specific color quality. Use obscurité to describe the physical state of an environment being dark, such as a room. Use noirceur when you are referring specifically to the quality of being black in color rather than just the absence of light.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ in their nuance and context. obscurité describes the physical state of a room or environment being dark. ténèbres refers to a profound, heavy or metaphorical darkness, such as the depths of darkness. noirceur refers to blackness or the quality of being black. sombreur is an archaic or dated term.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
obscurité and ténèbres are both considered formal expressions. obscurité totale can be used casually to express a sense of complete or total darkness. sombreur is dated.
How does it change in a sentence?
ténèbres is a feminine plural noun and is typically used in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɔp.sky.ʁi.te/
Did you know?
- While obscurité describes a lack of light, the word obscur can also describe a person who is unknown or unimportant in society.
- In French, the word noir is not just a color but can be used as an adjective to describe a 'dark' or pessimistic sense of humor, known as humour noir.
- The English word 'tenebrous' is a direct relative of the French ténèbres, both descending from the Latin 'tenebrae'.
Examples in context
- L'obscurité sera à mon avantage.The darkness will work to my advantage.This sentence shows how darkness can be an advantage.Tatoeba #3471239 by Lulantis, translation #3470537 by corvard
- Tom s'est assis dans l'obscurité.Tom sat in the darkness.This sentence describes someone sitting in the dark.Tatoeba #5396413 by Aiji, translation #1867942 by CK
- L'obscurité est l'absence de lumière.Darkness is the absence of light.This sentence provides a definition of darkness as the absence of light.Tatoeba #5484482 by sacredceltic, translation #28394 by CK
- Il faisait nuit, l'obscurité régnait partout.It was night, darkness prevailed everywhere.
- J'ai peur du noir, des ténèbres profondes.I am afraid of the dark, deep darkness.
- J'ai eu peur dans le noir, dans cette noirceur totale.I got scared in the dark, in that complete darkness.
- Les bougies se sont éteintes, et il y avait une obscurité totale.The candles went out, and there was total darkness.
- La nuit tombe et l'ombre gagne du terrain.Night falls, and darkness takes over.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are walking home at night.
- ChloéJ'ai peur de l'obscurité ici.I am afraid of the darkness here.
- NathanNe t'inquiète pas, Chloé, je suis là.Don't worry, Chloé, I am here.
- ChloéIl fait vraiment trop d'obscurité sur ce chemin.It is really too dark on this path.
- NathanAllume ta lampe pour voir devant toi.Turn on your lamp to see in front of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “darkness” translations and entries obscurité, ténèbres, noirceur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries noirceur, obscurité, ténèbres, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
