Translation guide
Describes a deep, pure, glossy black, often used for hair, feathers, or polished surfaces.
To describe something as a deep, pure, shiny black, like the mineral jet.
Literally 'lacquer black', this is the most common and natural way to express 'jet black' in Japanese. It implies a deep, lustrous black, often used for hair, night sky, or polished surfaces.
Her hair is jet black.
Means 'pitch black' or 'completely black'. It is more general and can be used for anything that is very black, but lacks the specific glossy nuance of 'jet black'. Often used colloquially.
Does not inherently convey glossiness; can simply mean 'very black'.
A jet-black darkness spread out.
The cat is jet black.
Literally 'crow's wet feather color', this is a poetic and traditional expression for a glossy, deep black, often used to describe beautiful black hair. It is more literary and less common in everyday speech.
Her hair is jet black like a crow's wet feathers.