Black has deep culture roots in many nations. However, the term varies across languages. It reflects differently in histories and traditions. Therefore, we must explore black in different languages to learn its diverse meanings. You will realize it can symbolize from mourning to power. After learning, you will learn to celebrate the color beyond its somber shade. Continue reading to enrich your global awareness.
Romance Languages
Spanish
Translation: Negro
Native Script: Negro
Phonetic Pronunciation: NEH-groh
Cultural Context: In Spanish, “negro” describes colors, clothing, and moods. However, it can also symbolize elegance or sadness. It depends on the context. Black coffee is “café negro.”
Symbolism: Black in Spanish-speaking cultures represents mourning and mystery. Some argue it means sophistication. It is the color worn at funerals. Black is linked with night and secrecy.
Common Idioms: “Oveja negra” (black sheep) refers to an outcast in a family or group. It has a similar meaning to English.
Etymology: “Negro” comes from Latin “niger.” It means black. Over centuries, it spread to Romance languages and influenced English words like “negro.”
French
Translation: Noir
Native Script: Noir
Phonetic Pronunciation: NWAHR
Cultural Context: “Noir” is widely used in French for fashion, film, and literature. “Film noir” describes dark movies with crimes. Black also means authority.
Symbolism: In France, black stands for formality and mourning. It is common in high fashion. You can wear black to serious events like funerals.
Common Idioms: “Bête noire” (black beast) means a strong dislike. It describes something or someone annoying all the time.
Etymology: “Noir” comes from Latin “niger.” Old French adopted it. However, the roots are intact. Likewise, the term influenced English in literature and cinema.
Portuguese
Translation: Preto
Native Script: Preto
Phonetic Pronunciation: PRAY-too
Cultural Context: “Preto” refers to the color, but “negro” is also used for people. Black in Portugal represents dignity, depth, and sorrow.
Symbolism: Black in Portuguese culture means grief and sophistication. It is common in traditional outfits. Clothing for singers is usually black.
Common Idioms: “Ovelha negra” (black sheep) means a disgrace to a family. It has the same meaning as in other languages.
Etymology: “Preto” evolved from the Latin “pressus.” It meant darkened or pressed. The term replaced “niger” in Portuguese usage over time.
Italian
Translation: Nero
Native Script: Nero
Phonetic Pronunciation: NEH-roh
Cultural Context: “Nero” symbolizes power and elegance. Italian designers use black in fashion. They wear black to appear serious and dramatic.
Symbolism: Black in Italy represents mystery and luxury. However, it can mean grief. It is a dominant color in fashion and is worn for mourning.
Common Idioms: “Pecora nera” (black sheep) describes someone who does not fit in with family or society
Etymology: “Nero” originates from Latin “niger.” Over time, it becomes an essential word in Italian.
Nonetheless, it has the same original meaning.
Germanic Languages
German
Translation: Schwarz
Native Script: Schwarz
Phonetic Pronunciation: SHVAR-ts
Cultural Context: “Schwarz” is often used in politics and fashion. Black clothing signifies authority in German culture.
Symbolism: Black in Germany represents strength and mystery. It is a formal color for business suits and academic robes.
Common Idioms: “Schwarzes Schaf” (black sheep) refers to an outcast in a family or group.
Etymology: “Schwarz” comes from Old High German “swarz.” The meaning is consistent across centuries of linguistic evolution.
Swedish
Translation: Svart
Native Script: Svart
Phonetic Pronunciation: SVART
Cultural Context: In Swedish, “Svart” is used for color descriptions and has metaphorical meanings. The color is linked with darkness, mystery, and formality.
Symbolism: Black in Sweden represents authority and elegance. Sometimes, it can mean sadness as well. It is used in fashion and mourning traditions.
Common Idioms: “Svart får” (black sheep) describes someone who does not fit in or is an outsider.
Etymology: “Svart” comes from Old Norse “svartr.”
Yiddish
Translation: Shvarts
Native Script: שוואַרץ
Phonetic Pronunciation: SHVARTS
Cultural Context: “Shvarts” appears in everyday conversation and symbolism. In Jewish tradition, black means mourning and modesty.
Symbolism: Black represents grief and humility. Religious observants wear black a lot in Yiddish-speaking communities. Many Orthodox Jews wear black suits.
Common Idioms: “Shvarts yor” (black year) means a year of misfortune or hardship. It is used for personal or historical tragedies.
Etymology: “Shvarts” derives from the German “schwarz.” Middle High German influenced the term. Over time, it was carried into Yiddish-speaking regions.
Dutch
Translation: Zwart
Native Script: Zwart
Phonetic Pronunciation: ZVART
Cultural Context: “Zwart” in Dutch represents seriousness, authority, and mourning. Black is common in professional attire and clothing for funerals.
Symbolism: Black in Dutch culture means power, mystery, and grief. Many legal and academic robes are black.
Common Idioms: “Zwarte schaap” (black sheep) refers to someone who stands out negatively. They do not fit into a group of friends or family.
Etymology: “Zwart” comes from Old Dutch “swart.” Over time, it kept the meaning. As a result, Zwart is widely used in the language today.
Afrikaans
Translation: Swart
Native Script: Swart
Phonetic Pronunciation: SWART
Cultural Context: “Swart” is commonly used in clothing, art, and everyday speech. It has a formal meaning in South Africa.
Symbolism: In Afrikaans, black represents power. The color denotes formality. However, it can mean bad luck. The color is linked to authority and resilience.
Common Idioms: “Swart skaap” (black sheep) means an outsider or disgrace to a family. It has the same meaning in English and Dutch counterparts.
Etymology: “Swart” originates from Middle Dutch “swart.” It has the same roots as the Germanic word for black across the same group of languages.
Frisian
Translation: Swart
Native Script: Swart
Phonetic Pronunciation: SWART
Cultural Context: Frisian people use “swart” in everyday descriptions of color, clothing, and symbolism. It is linked to tradition and mourning.
Symbolism: In Frisian culture, black represents sorrow, strength, and formality. It appears in traditional clothing. Frisian history is fond of black.
Common Idioms: “Swart skiep” (black sheep) describes someone who does not fit into a group or is seen as a disgrace.
Etymology: “Swart” comes from Old Frisian. The word is closely related to Old Dutch and Old English. The word has maintained its meaning through time.
Slavic Language
Czech
Translation: Černý
Native Script: Černý
Phonetic Pronunciation: CHAIR-nee
Cultural Context: In Czech culture, black represents mystery and grief. It is worn at funerals. Furthermore, the color is common in gothic and formal fashion.
Symbolism: Black symbolizes authority and formality. You wear black for mourning in Czech traditions. It is also linked to night.
Common Idioms: “Černá ovce” (black sheep) describes someone who stands out negatively.
Etymology: “Černý” comes from Proto-Slavic črnŭ. It has had the same roots throughout history.
Ukrainian
Translation: Чорний
Native Script: Чорний
Phonetic Pronunciation: CHOR-neey
Cultural Context: In Ukraine, black represents grief and mystery. It is commonly used in funeral attire and literature. Black means sorrow and depth.
Symbolism: Black in Ukrainian culture stands for mourning and seriousness. Sometimes, it can mean wisdom. Black is a color of tradition and remembrance.
Common Idioms: “Чорна вівця” (black sheep) refers to an outcast or someone who does not fit into a group.
Etymology: “Чорний” comes from Proto-Slavic čěrnŭ. It has the same roots in all Slavic languages.
Belarusian
Translation: Чорны
Native Script: Чорны
Phonetic Pronunciation: CHOR-nih
Cultural Context: In Belarus, black is often associated with mourning and the night. Black is common in traditional clothing and religious symbolism.
Symbolism: Black symbolizes sorrow and wisdom in Belarusian culture. It is a formal color for very serious situations.
Common Idioms: “Чорная авечка” (black sheep) describes someone who does not fit in.
Etymology: “Чорны” comes from Proto-Slavic čěrnŭ as well.
Bulgarian
Translation: Черен
Native Script: Черен
Phonetic Pronunciation: CHEH-ren
Cultural Context: In Bulgarian, “Черен” is widely used for describing color and clothing. However, black has symbolic meanings as well. It is linked to mourning and serious occasions.
Symbolism: Black in Bulgaria represents sorrow, power, and elegance. It is a traditional mourning color. Black means depth in literature.
Common Idioms: “Черен ден” (black day) means a day of misfortune or bad luck.
Etymology: “Черен” comes from Proto-Slavic *čĭrnŭ.
Polish
Translation: Czarny
Native Script: Czarny
Phonetic Pronunciation: CHAR-nih
Cultural Context: In Poland, black is used for mourning and elegance. It appears in traditional folk attire. Polish wear black to religious ceremonies.
Symbolism: Black represents grief and sophistication. It is commonly worn at funerals and special occasions.
Common Idioms: “Czarna owca” (black sheep) means an outcast or someone who does not conform to society.
Etymology: “Czarny” has evolved from the Proto-Slavic word čěrnŭ. It has kept its Polish roots beautifully.
Slovak
Translation: Čierny
Native Script: Čierny
Phonetic Pronunciation: CHAIR-nee
Cultural Context: In Slovakia, black is linked to mourning and mystery. It is frequently worn at funerals and represents solemnity.
Symbolism: Black symbolizes sorrow in Slovak traditions. However, it is also associated with power and seriousness.
Common Idioms: “Čierna ovca” (black sheep) describes someone who is an outcast or considered different from the norm.
Etymology: “Čierny” comes from Proto-Slavic *čěrnŭ as well.
Asian Languages
Urdu
Translation: کالا
Native Script: کالا
Phonetic Pronunciation: KAA-lah
Cultural Context: In Urdu, “کالا” is used for color and symbolism. Black represents mystery. Most of the time, black means bad luck in South Asian traditions.
Symbolism: Black in Urdu culture stands for power and fear. It is rarely worn in religious mourning ceremonies.
Common Idioms: Black cloud means misfortune. It means bad luck is approaching.
Etymology: “کالا” comes from Sanskrit “kṛṣṇa.” The word means dark or black. The word has influenced many South Asian languages.
Hindi
Translation: काला
Native Script: काला
Phonetic Pronunciation: KAA-lah
Cultural Context: “काला” is used for describing color. However, it has metaphorical meanings. Black means mystery, evil, and sometimes prestige.
Symbolism: Black in Hindi culture represents secrecy and power. It is worn during mourning and used in religious contexts.
Common Idioms: “काला दिल” (black heart) describes someone cruel or deceitful.
Etymology: “काला” derives from Sanskrit “kṛṣṇa.” It means dark. Black is used in religious and cultural contexts.
Chinese
Translation: 黑
Native Script: 黑
Phonetic Pronunciation: HAY
Cultural Context: In Chinese culture, black symbolizes water and stability. It can mean the unknown. Black is linked to wisdom and mystery.
Symbolism: Black in China represents power and formality. The color is connected to Taoism and the concept of yin.
Common Idioms: “黑手” (black hand) means a secret manipulator or someone working behind the scenes.
Etymology: “黑” originates from Old Chinese. It has remained the same color term in Mandarin for centuries.
Japanese
Translation: 黒
Native Script: 黒
Phonetic Pronunciation: KURO
Cultural Context: In Japan, black represents elegance and mystery. It is a key color in traditional attire like kimonos.
Symbolism: Black in Japanese culture symbolizes wisdom and experience. Sometimes, it can mean misfortune. Black is common in funerals and formal settings.
Common Idioms: “黒米” (black rice) means an illegal or secret income.
Etymology: “黒” comes from Old Japanese. The meaning has been the same for centuries.
Uzbek
Translation: Qora
Native Script: Qora
Phonetic Pronunciation: KOH-rah
Cultural Context: In Uzbek, “qora” signifies strength and mystery. It appears in traditional attire.
Symbolism: Black in Uzbek culture represents power. Sometimes, it can mean mourning. Black is used in literature and national identity.
Common Idioms: “Qora kunlar” (black days) refers to difficult or tragic times in life.
Etymology: “Qora” originates from Turkic languages. It has evolved over centuries with consistent meaning.
Korean
Translation: 검정
Native Script: 검정
Phonetic Pronunciation: GUM-jung
Cultural Context: In Korean, “검정” is used to describe the color black. It means formality and wisdom. Sometimes, black can mean bad luck.
Symbolism: Black in Korean culture represents dignity. The color is linked to sadness as well. It is used in mourning attire and formal clothing.
Common Idioms: “검은 양” (black sheep) refers to someone who stands out negatively. They do not fit in with the group.
Etymology: “검정” originates from Old Korean with consistent meaning over time.
Can you say black in different languages?
Black means different things in different cultures. It can stand for power, sadness, or elegance. In short, people see it in many ways. You can learn about black in different languages to understand its meanings. Language is linked to traditions. Therefore, black will always remain an important color.