Inklingo

How to Say "darkness" in Spanish

English → Spanish

oscuridad

os-coo-ree-DAHD/oskuɾiˈðað/

nounA2general
Use 'oscuridad' when referring to the general absence of light, such as during the night or in a dimly lit environment.
A high quality storybook illustration showing a vast, deep blue and black night sky. The ground is pitch black, emphasizing the total absence of light. A single, tiny crescent moon hangs high above.

Examples

La oscuridad de la noche nos impedía ver el camino.

The darkness of the night prevented us from seeing the path.

Después del atardecer, la oscuridad cubrió todo el valle.

After sunset, darkness covered the whole valley.

Se fue la luz y tuvimos que caminar en la oscuridad total.

The power went out and we had to walk in total darkness.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'oscuridad' is always a feminine word. You must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la oscuridad', 'una oscuridad terrible').

Using 'Oscuro' instead of 'Oscuridad'

Mistake: “Me gusta el oscuro de la noche. (Incorrect: 'el oscuro' is generally used as the color 'dark brown' or 'dark shade'.)”

Correction: Me gusta la oscuridad de la noche. (Correct: Use the noun form 'oscuridad' when referring to the state of being dark.)

oscuro

oh-SKOO-roh/osˈkuɾo/

nounB2general
Use 'oscuro' when referring to a specific, often enclosed, dark place or area, like the inside of a cave or a poorly lit room.
A minimalist depiction of a night sky that is almost entirely deep black, featuring only a small white crescent moon.

Examples

Entramos en el oscuro del sótano para buscar las herramientas.

We entered the darkness of the basement to look for the tools.

Salimos de la luz y entramos en el oscuro de la caverna.

We left the light and entered the darkness of the cavern.

Trabaja en el oscuro, sin que nadie sepa lo que está haciendo.

He works in the dark, without anyone knowing what he is doing.

Preferred Noun

While 'el oscuro' exists, the most common and standard noun for 'darkness' is the feminine noun 'la oscuridad'. 'El oscuro' is often used poetically or in specific set phrases.

General vs. Specific Darkness

Learners often overuse 'oscuridad' and don't realize 'oscuro' can function as a noun for a specific dark place. Remember 'oscuridad' is the broad concept of no light, while 'oscuro' often implies a particular dark location.

Related Translations

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