Translation guide
A dark spot can refer to a physical mark, a shadowy area, or a metaphorical blemish. Japanese expressions vary depending on whether you mean a stain, a shadow, a skin blemish, or a flaw in something otherwise good.
A visible dark area on a surface, fabric, or object, often unwanted.
General word for a stain or spot, often from liquid or dirt. Can be used for dark spots on clothes, walls, etc.
シャツに黒い染みがついた。
There's a dark spot on my shirt.
A dark discoloration or blackish stain, often from age, dirt, or mold.
There's a dark spot on the wall.
A spot or speckle, often used for natural markings or small dots. Can be dark or light.
Dark spots have appeared on the leaves.
A place that is darker than its surroundings, often due to lack of light.
A dark place or shadowy area. Emphasizes the absence of light.
There's a dark spot in the corner of the room.
Shadow or shade. Can refer to a dark area cast by an object.
Shade or dark area, often with a nuance of being hidden or behind something. More literary.
A dark mark on the skin, such as a mole, freckle, or hyperpigmentation.
Commonly used for age spots, sun spots, or pigmentation on skin. Often written in katakana in cosmetic contexts.
I'm bothered by the dark spots on my face.
A mole or beauty mark. Usually a small, dark, raised or flat spot.
Same as ほくろ but using kanji. More formal or written.
A negative aspect that mars an otherwise positive situation, reputation, or object.
A stain or blot on one's reputation or record. Metaphorical dark spot.
A dark spot remains on his career.
A flaw, defect, or damage. Can be used metaphorically for a blemish on something's perfection.
Literally 'black star', used in sports for a loss or defeat, metaphorically a blemish on a record.
The direct translation 「暗い場所」 (dark place) is too vague and not idiomatic for most uses of 'dark spot'. Choose a more specific word based on context.
The tree's shadow makes a dark spot on the ground.
There's a dark spot in the shadow of the rock.
She has a small dark spot on her cheek.
A dark spot is medically called a pigmented nevus.
Even the perfect plan had a small dark spot.
彼の戦績に黒星がついた。
A dark spot was added to his fight record.