The kanji 黒 primarily means "black." It represents the color of darkness, the absence of light, and is often associated with shadows, night, and things that are dark in color. It can also imply secrecy, obscurity, or something ominous.

・On-yomi (音読み): コク (koku) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): くろ (kuro)

⚫︎ 黒い猫 Translation: Black cat ⚫︎ 黒板 Translation: Blackboard ⚫︎ 黒字 Translation: Surplus (literally "black characters" - referring to a positive balance in accounting)

The kanji 黒 is a pictograph. The original form depicted a person in a dark, enclosed space, perhaps a primitive cave or shelter, symbolizing darkness. Over time, the form simplified and became the current shape. The top part represents the face, and the bottom part might represent the person's body or the enclosed space. The dark color represented by the kanji has always been the primary meaning.