Translation guide
How to express 'blacken' in Japanese, covering making something black, becoming black, and related figurative uses.
To cause something to become black in color, often by applying a substance or through burning.
The most direct and versatile way to say 'make something black'. It uses the adjective 黒い (black) in its adverbial form.
I painted the wall black.
He dyed his hair black.
Means to darken or blacken, often implying a dull or dirty blackening. It is the transitive form of 黒ずむ.
The smoke blackened the ceiling.
A technical term meaning to cause black discoloration, used in scientific or industrial contexts.
This chemical reaction blackens the substance.
To turn black or become blackened, often due to burning, aging, or a natural process.
The standard intransitive expression for 'become black'. It uses the adjective 黒い (black) with the verb なる (to become).
The sky blackened.
The banana turned black.
Means to become blackish or darken, often with a nuance of dirtiness or dullness. Commonly used for surfaces stained by smoke or age.
Specifically means to become scorched or charred, turning black from burning. Used for food or materials.
A technical term for black discoloration, used in scientific or medical contexts.
The wound blackened.
To damage someone's reputation or make something seem evil.
Means to defile, tarnish, or disgrace. Often used for reputation, honor, or name.
He blackened the team's reputation.
Literally 'to wound', but can be used figuratively to damage reputation or feelings.
Means to slander or defame. A stronger, more direct term for blackening someone's name.
He blackened his political opponent's name.
黒くする is transitive (someone makes something black), while 黒くなる is intransitive (something becomes black). Choose based on whether there is an agent causing the change.
He blackened the wall.
The wall blackened.
English 'blacken' in the sense of defaming is not directly translated with color words. Use verbs like 汚す or 傷つける instead of 黒くする.
I blackened his name. (unnatural)
壁が煙で黒ずんでいる。
The wall is blackened with smoke.
トーストが焦げて黒くなった。
The toast burned and blackened.
The rumor blackened his reputation.