Translation and Meaning of: 真っ黒 - makkuro

The word 「真っ黒」 (makkuro) is a Japanese expression that means "completely black" or "totally black". This word is formed by two main components: 「真っ」 (ma) and 「黒」 (kuro). The component 「真っ」 is an intensifier that adds the idea of "completely" or "totally", while 「黒」 (kuro) means "black". When combined, these characters amplify the black tone, conveying the idea of something that is entirely black, without any stain or variation of color.

From an etymological point of view, 「真」 is a character (kanji) that has the meaning of "true" or "genuine," and is often used in compound expressions to intensify the qualities of a word. The kanji 「黒」 is derived from a pictogram that represents coal, which is naturally black. Together, they create the idea of complete, solid, and literal darkness, expressing a uniform and intense color.

In Japan, the expression 「真っ黒」 is used in various contexts, ranging from the description of physical objects, such as a piece of coal or a starless night, to figurative or metaphorical situations, such as in feelings of deep despair or when something is viewed negatively. This word is an example of the rich capacity of the Japanese language to express nuances and depth through the combination of characters that form a new sensation or complete idea.

Besides 「真っ黒」, other variants use the intensifying prefix 「真っ」 to convey the idea of "totality", such as 「真っ白」 (masshiro), which means "entirely white", or 「真っ赤」 (makka), which means "totally red". This construction is common in the Japanese language and shows how small adjustments can completely change the connotation of a word, making it more vivid and descriptive.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

漆黒 (shikkoku) - A deep and bright black, often associated with lacquer.
墨黒 (sumiguro) - A black similar to ink, with a connotation of opacity.
烏黒 (karasuguro) - A black like that of a raven's plumage, very deep.
黒々 (kurokuro) - An intense and vibrant black, used to describe something that is visibly black.
暗黒 (ankoku) - A dark black that evokes darkness, often with a sense of fear or mystery.