Core Meaning
The character 黑 (hēi) primarily means "black" or "dark." It is used to describe colors, the absence of light, or metaphorically to indicate something secretive or illegal.
Common Uses
- Color: 黑色 (hēisè) means "black color," often used to describe clothing or objects.
- Darkness: 黑 can describe the time of day when it becomes dark, e.g., 天快黑了 (It's getting dark).
- Illegality or secrecy: 黑市 (black market), 黑名单 (blacklist), and 黑心 (unethical or "black-hearted") are common collocations.
Collocations and Patterns
- 黑色 (hēisè): black color, used for describing colors.
- 黑市 (hēishì): black market, illegal trading.
- 黑名单 (hēimíngdān): blacklist, a list of banned or untrusted people.
- 黑心 (hēixīn): unethical, dishonest, often describing business practices.
Usage Notes
When 黑 is used to describe darkness, it often appears as a verb or adjective indicating the environment or time of day. When used metaphorically, it often relates to illegal or unethical contexts. Avoid confusing 黑 with other color words like 墨 (mò, ink black) or 乌 (wū, crow black), which have more specific or poetic uses.
Register and Tone
黑 is neutral in tone and widely used in both spoken and written Chinese. When used metaphorically (e.g., 黑市), it carries a negative connotation related to illegality or immorality.