black

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 黒 denotes the color black; its on-reading is こく, and its kun-readings are くろ and くろい.
• Basic usage: 黒 is the noun for black, while 黒い is an adjective describing something as black.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 黒 / 黒い
  • 黒: Read as くろ, this color noun can modify another noun through の, as in 黒の靴. Example: 今日は黒の靴を選んだ。
  • 黒い: Read as くろい, this adjective directly modifies a noun and can become 黒くなる when something turns black. Example: 白い壁に黒い線を一本引いた。