黒 (black): Kanji Meaning and Pronunciations

黒

• Meaning: black
• Pronunciations: koku / kuro (i)

The Kanji character “黒” (kuro) is originated from a pictogram of making ink by collecting soot. “黒” means the colour black. When you use it alone, “黒” is a noun. When “い” is added, “黒い” plays as an i-adjective.

• 白黒（しろくろ））: white and black 
• 黒板（こくばん）: blackboard
• 暗黒（あんこく）: dark and black

Interestingly, when “黒” is combined with “犬 (a dog)”, it becomes “黙” which means “silence” “no sound”. 

黒い犬を飼ってます。
Kuroi inu wo kattemasu.
I have a black dog.

黒はありますか？
Kuro wa arimasuka？
Do you have it in black?