Translation guide
Describes the color dark gray. Japanese has several common words for gray, and darkness is usually expressed by modifiers rather than a single word.
To describe something as dark gray in color.
Literally 'dark gray'. This is the most straightforward and common way to say dark gray. 濃い (koi) means 'dark' or 'deep' for colors.
彼は濃い灰色のスーツを着ていた。
He was wearing a dark gray suit.
Literally 'dark/gloomy gray'. 暗い (kurai) can imply a lack of light, so it's less common for simple color description but still used.
空が暗い灰色になった。
The sky turned dark gray.
Loanword from English 'dark gray'. Common in fashion, design, and product descriptions.
このダークグレーの壁紙が人気です。
This dark gray wallpaper is popular.
Traditional Japanese word for gray (literally 'mouse color'). Often used in traditional arts or literature. To specify dark, you'd say 濃鼠 (こいねず) but it's rare.
着物は濃鼠色だった。
The kimono was dark gray.
To refer to the color dark gray as a concept or noun.
Same as above, used as a noun phrase. Japanese often uses the adjective+noun structure as a noun.
濃い灰色が好きです。
I like dark gray.
Loanword used as a noun.
ダークグレーを選びました。
I chose dark gray.
To describe a very dark gray, almost black.
Loanword 'charcoal gray'. Very common in fashion and interior design.
チャコールグレーのコートを買った。
I bought a charcoal gray coat.
Literally 'ink color', a very dark grayish black. Used in traditional contexts.
濃い is the standard adjective for 'dark' when describing colors. It can be used with any color: 濃い青 (dark blue), 濃い緑 (dark green), etc. The opposite is 薄い (usui) for 'light' colors.
While 暗い (kurai) means 'dark', it often implies lack of light or gloominess. For colors, 濃い is preferred. Using 暗い灰色 might sound like 'gloomy gray' rather than simply a dark shade.
壁は濃い灰色に塗られていた。
The walls were painted dark gray.
黒より濃い灰色のほうが好きです。
I prefer dark gray to black.
The ink-black sky spread out.