How to Write 黪 (cǎn) — Meaning “Dark gray; gloomy”

Imagine the sky turning a dark gray (黑) as a storm approaches, and you feel gloomy and want to "参" (participate) in hiding away. The four dots under the left radical 黑 can remind you of falling raindrops adding to the gloomy scene.

The left radical 黑 has 12 strokes: start with the top 口, then vertical and horizontal lines, and finish with four small dots (not a single line). The right side 參 is complex: write the top 厶, then 大, then three downward strokes 彡. Keep the overall shape balanced and ensure the right side is not too wide.

黪 (cǎn) means dark gray or gloomy, and its right side is 參. 黟 (yī) is used mainly in the place name 黟县 (Yīxiàn) and has 多 (duō) on the right. 黠 (xiá) means cunning or clever, with 吉 (jí) on the right. Visually, the right components are distinct: 参 vs. 多 vs. 吉.

黪 is a rare, literary character, not in the HSK list. You might see it in poetry or descriptive writing to portray a gloomy sky or pale, dim colors, like in the phrase 天色黪淡 (the sky is dark and gloomy). It is almost never used in everyday conversation.

Common words containing 黪 include: 黪黑 (cǎn hēi) — Dark gray; blackish; 黪淡 (cǎn dàn) — Gloomy; dim; pale; 黪白 (cǎn bái) — Pale; grayish white.