Darkness in different languages

Darkness in Different Languages

Discover 'Darkness' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Darkness is a powerful and evocative concept that has captivated humans for centuries. It signifies the absence of light, but also represents mystery, fear, the unknown, and the unconscious mind. Throughout history, darkness has played a significant role in various cultures, religions, and literature. For instance, in many Western cultures, darkness is often associated with evil and negativity, while in some Eastern cultures, it symbolizes spiritual transformation and potential for growth.

Given its cultural importance and rich symbolism, it's no wonder that people might be interested in learning how to say 'darkness' in different languages. After all, exploring new words and expressions is one of the best ways to deepen our understanding of other cultures and broaden our perspectives.

Here are some translations of 'darkness' in various languages: Spanish - 'oscuridad', French - 'obscurité', German - 'Dunkelheit', Italian - 'oscurità', Chinese - '黑暗 (hēi'àn)', Japanese - '闇 (yami)', Arabic - 'ظلام (Ẓulām)', and many more.

Darkness


Darkness in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansduisternis
The word "duisternis" is derived from the Old Dutch word "dusterheit", which means "darkness", and is related to the German word "Dunkelheit", which also means "darkness".
Amharicጨለማ
The word "ጨለማ" can also mean "secret" or "hidden".
Hausaduhu
The word "duhu" also means "night" or "darkness" in Hausa.
Igboọchịchịrị
"Ọchichịri" is also the name of an Igbo masquerade or the act of performing as the masquerade.
Malagasyhaizina
The word "haizina" also means "ignorance" in Malagasy.
Nyanja (Chichewa)mdima
'Mdima' is also a type of bird found in Malawi.
Shonarima
"Rima" also means "secret" in Shona.
Somalimugdi
The word "mugdi" can also refer to night or a black cloud
Sesotholefifi
The word "lefifi" can also refer to a place of secrecy or mystery, or to something that is hidden or unknown.
Swahiligiza
The Swahili word 'giza' also means 'secret' or 'mystery'.
Xhosaubumnyama
In Xhosa, 'ubumnyama' ('darkness') comes from 'mnyama,' meaning 'beast,' which reflects the association between darkness and danger in Xhosa culture.
Yorubaokunkun
The name Okun is closely related to the name of the Yoruba deity of the ocean, Olokun.
Zuluubumnyama
The Zulu word "ubumnyama" originates from "imnyama," a term referring to black or dark-colored items.
Bambaradibi donna
Eweviviti me
Kinyarwandaumwijima
Lingalamolili
Lugandaekizikiza
Sepedileswiswi
Twi (Akan)esum mu

Darkness in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالظلام
"ظلام" can also mean hidden or unknown matters.
Hebrewחוֹשֶׁך
The Hebrew word "חוֹשֶׁך" (choshekh, "darkness") shares a root with the word "חָשַׁךְ" (chashakh, "to be dark" or "to become dark").
Pashtoتياره
The Pashto word "تياره" also means "night" and is related to the Persian word "تاریکی" (darkness).
Arabicالظلام
"ظلام" can also mean hidden or unknown matters.

Darkness in Western European Languages

Albanianerrësirë
The word "errësirë" is derived from the Proto-Albanian word *h₂erǵʰ-si-rā, which also means "darkness".
Basqueiluntasuna
The word iluntasuna can also refer to 'lack of clarity' or 'mystery'.
Catalanfoscor
The Catalan word "foscor" comes from the Latin "fuscus" meaning "dark" or "dusky".
Croatiantama
The word "tama" also means "secret" or "hidden" in Croatian.
Danishmørke
The word "mørke" can also mean "ignorance" or "evil" in Danish.
Dutchduisternis
Duisternis ultimately derives from the Proto-West Germanic root “dheubhster”, meaning “deep”.
Englishdarkness
Originally meaning 'shadow; shade' in Old English, darkness has also come to mean 'ignorance; evil; or lack of knowledge'.
Frenchobscurité
Obscurité derives from the Latin obscurare, meaning "to cover up" or "to hide".
Frisiantsjuster
The word "tsjuster" can also mean "twilight" or "late evening".
Galicianescuridade
"Escuridade" derives from Latin *obscuritatem* (“lack of light”), sharing etymological roots with "oscurecer" (meaning “to obscure”).
Germandunkelheit
The word 'Dunkelheit' is derived from the Proto-Germanic root *þunkaz, meaning 'darkness' or 'shadow'.
Icelandicmyrkur
The word "myrkur" in Icelandic is used to refer to both physical darkness and metaphorical darkness, such as ignorance or sorrow.
Irishdorchadas
The word "dorchadas" can also refer to "ignorance" or "unbelief" in Irish.
Italianbuio
"Buio" derives from the Latin "bōs" (ox) and figuratively "ox eye", that is, blind from the cataract that covers the pupil, like the night's blindness.
Luxembourgishdäischtert
Däischtert derives from the Latin word "discretio" which refers to the separation or distinction between light and darkness.
Maltesedlam
"Dlam" is the Maltese word for "darkness," and its etymological root is the Arabic word for "shadow" or "shade."}
Norwegianmørke
Etymology: Old Norse myrkr - dark; darkness. Meaning: Lack of or absence of light.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)trevas
In Portuguese, "trevas" can also refer to a dark place or a state of ignorance or mental confusion.
Scots Gaelicdorchadas
The word 'dorchadas' can also be used to refer to a 'hiding-place' or a 'dark secret'.
Spanishoscuridad
“Oscuridad” is a Spanish word for “obscurity” and has its root in Latin “obscuritas” (obscurity).
Swedishmörker
"Mörker" also refers to the mythical giant Mrkr who embodies the cold, the night, and the mist.
Welshtywyllwch
The word "tywyllwch" can also refer to the dark forces that lurk in the night.

Darkness in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianцемра
'Цемра' in Belarusian is related to the Sanskrit word 'tamas' meaning 'darkness', 'ignorance' or 'stupidity'.
Bosniantama
The word "tama" is also used in a figurative sense to refer to ignorance or evil.
Bulgarianтъмнина
Bulgarian "тъмнина" (darkness) also refers to a lack of clarity, understanding, or transparency.
Czechtma
The Czech word "tma" is related to the Proto-Slavic word *tьma, which meant "army" or "crowd" and could have been derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *tem- meaning "to cover" or "to fill up".
Estonianpimedus
The word "pimedus" shares a common Indo-European root with the Sanskrit word "tamas" (darkness) and is related to the Latin word "fumus" (smoke).
Finnishpimeys
The word "pimeys" is related to the words "pimu" (dark, gloomy) and "pimennys" (eclipse).
Hungariansötétség
The word "sötétség" is derived from the Proto-Uralic word *śota "night, darkness".
Latviantumsa
Latvian "tumsa" shares roots with "temnota" in Slavic languages, signifying obscurity or ignorance
Lithuaniantamsa
The word "tamsa" in Lithuanian is related to the Sanskrit root "tam" meaning "to spread" and also means "fog" or "mist".
Macedonianтемнина
The word "темнина" in Macedonian can also mean "ignorance" or "obscurity".
Polishciemność
The Polish word "ciemność" shares a common etymology with "shadow," "black," and "ink."
Romanianîntuneric
"Întuneric" shares the Proto-Indo-European root
Russianтьма
The word “тьма” can also refer to the number “10,000”, or something very large and undefined.
Serbianтама
In the Russian Northern dialect, "тьма" (darkness) can also mean "a great multitude", like "тьма народу" (a great multitude of people).
Slovaktma
The word "tma" also means "secret" or "mystery" in Slovak.
Sloveniantemo
The root tem- is found in various South Slavic languages to refer to obscurity, while in Proto-Slavic it meant 'thick.'
Ukrainianтемрява
The word "темрява" ('тьма' in Russian) may also refer to a state of ignorance or delusion or an evil force in Slavic folklore.

Darkness in South Asian Languages

Bengaliঅন্ধকার
The word 'অন্ধকার' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'अन्धकार' (andhkāra), which means 'not giving light' or 'absence of light'.
Gujaratiઅંધકાર
Hindiअंधेरा
"अंधेरा" is derived from Sanskrit word "अंध" which also means "blind" or "to be blind".
Kannadaಕತ್ತಲೆ
The word 'ಕತ್ತಲೆ' (kattale) is derived from the Proto-Dravidian root word 'kaṭ', meaning 'to cover' or 'to conceal'.
Malayalamഇരുട്ട്
The Malayalam word 'ഇരുട്ട്' (darkness) shares a common root with the Proto-Dravidian word 'īr' meaning 'night' or 'darkness'.
Marathiअंधार
The word "अंधार" also means "concealed" or "hidden" in Marathi.
Nepaliअँध्यारो
The word 'अँध्यारो' also refers to the absence of knowledge, understanding or enlightenment.
Punjabiਹਨੇਰਾ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)අඳුරු
The word "අඳුරු" (darkness) is also used to describe something that is 'mysterious or difficult to understand'.
Tamilஇருள்
"இருள்" (darkness) derives from the Proto-Dravidian root *ir-, meaning "night".
Teluguచీకటి
The word 'చీకటి' can also refer to confusion or a lack of knowledge.
Urduاندھیرے
The word "اندھیرے" is derived from the Sanskrit word "andhaka", which means "dark" or "blind". It is also related to the Persian word "andheri", which means "night". The word has been used in Urdu literature for centuries to describe both physical and metaphorical darkness.

Darkness in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)黑暗
In Chinese folklore, "黑暗" can also refer to the realm of ghosts and demons.
Chinese (Traditional)黑暗
In Chinese, 黑暗 (Darkness) is also used as a slang word for 'corrupt' or 'evil'.
Japanese
闇 (darkness) in Japanese also refers to the afterlife and shady dealings.
Korean어둠
어둠 can also mean “ignorance” or “unrighteousness,” or “not knowing something,” and is often used in Buddhist contexts.
Mongolianхаранхуй
The word "харанхуй" is also used to describe something that is hidden or mysterious.
Myanmar (Burmese)မှောင်မိုက်

Darkness in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiankegelapan
"Kegelapan" can refer to physical darkness or spiritual and intellectual blindness, and originates from the Proto-Austronesian root *kelem "black, dark."
Javanesepepeteng
The word "pepeteng" in Javanese can also mean "to close the eyes" or "to sleep".
Khmerភាពងងឹត
The term "darkness" in Khmer, "ភាពងងឹត", can also refer to ignorance or a lack of enlightenment.
Laoຄວາມມືດ
Its etymology goes back to the Pali word "tamas" meaning "to be dark".
Malaykegelapan
The word "kegelapan" is derived from the Proto-Austronesian word *kələp, which also means "to be blind" or "to be unable to see".
Thaiความมืด
The word "ความมืด" (darkness) in Thai has an alternate meaning of "ignorance" or "unenlightenment".
Vietnamesebóng tối
The word "bóng tối" has several alternate meanings, including "shadow", "shade", "silhouette", and "secrecy".
Filipino (Tagalog)kadiliman

Darkness in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniqaranlıq
"Qaranlıq" in Azerbaijani can also refer to something that is uncertain or hidden.
Kazakhқараңғылық
The Kazakh word "қараңғылық" (darkness) is derived from the verb "қару" (to cover, to conceal), and its primary meaning is "absence of light" or "darkness."
Kyrgyzкараңгылык
The word "караңгылык" comes from the Old Turkic word "karaňgɯlɯḳ," meaning "dark place" or "shadow."
Tajikзулмот
"Зулмот" (darkness) stems from the Old Persian "džamātar", meaning "son-in-law".
Turkmengaraňkylyk
Uzbekzulmat
Uyghurقاراڭغۇلۇق

Darkness in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianpouli
The Hawaiian word "pouli" derives from the Proto-Polynesian root *poki, meaning "night" or "darkness."
Maoripouri
Maori word 'pouri' relates to 'pouriuri' which means 'extreme dark' or 'night' and also 'te pōuriuri' - 'the ultimate state of darkness' or 'great dark'.
Samoanpogisa
Pogisa can also refer to being hidden or concealed, and to the state of being asleep.
Tagalog (Filipino)kadiliman

Darkness in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarach’amaka
Guaranipytũmby

Darkness in International Languages

Esperantomallumo
Latintenebris
The word "tenebris" can also refer to "the underworld" or "the realm of the dead" in Latin.

Darkness in Others Languages

Greekσκοτάδι
The Ancient Greek word σκότος, from which σκοτάδι is derived, also meant "shadow" and "gloom".
Hmongkev tsaus ntuj
"Kev tsaus ntuj" can also mean "a hidden or secret matter".
Kurdishtarîtî
The Kurdish word "tarîtî" can also refer to "evening" or "nighttime"
Turkishkaranlık
Though Turkish "karanlık" initially meant "a dark space not illuminated by the sun", it came to mean "darkness" in general.
Xhosaubumnyama
In Xhosa, 'ubumnyama' ('darkness') comes from 'mnyama,' meaning 'beast,' which reflects the association between darkness and danger in Xhosa culture.
Yiddishפינצטערניש
"פינצטערניש" derives from the Middle High German word "finsternisse," meaning not only "darkness" but also "imprisonment," "affliction," and "blindness."
Zuluubumnyama
The Zulu word "ubumnyama" originates from "imnyama," a term referring to black or dark-colored items.
Assameseআন্ধাৰ
Aymarach’amaka
Bhojpuriअन्हार हो गइल बा
Dhivehiއަނދިރިކަމެވެ
Dogriअंधेरा
Filipino (Tagalog)kadiliman
Guaranipytũmby
Ilocanosipnget
Kriodaknɛs
Kurdish (Sorani)تاریکی
Maithiliअन्हार
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯑꯃꯝꯕꯥ꯫
Mizothim a ni
Oromodukkana
Odia (Oriya)ଅନ୍ଧକାର
Quechuatutayaq
Sanskritअन्धकारः
Tatarкараңгылык
Tigrinyaጸልማት
Tsongamunyama

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