闇市場

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 闇市場, read as やみしじょう. It is a noun for an illegal or unofficial market trading prohibited, stolen, or scarce goods outside regulated channels.
• Basic usage: A black market spreading amid shortages appears in 闇市場が広がる, while stolen goods being sold on the black market appears in 闇市場で売られる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference from 市場
  • It denotes an illegal or unofficial trading network outside regulation, not a lawful marketplace or economic market.