真っ暗

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 真っ暗, read まっくら, denotes a state so completely dark that objects are difficult to see.
• Basic usage: It describes a room becoming dark in a blackout and a moonless road being completely dark.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Complete darkness rather than dimness
  • It means darkness so complete that objects are hard to see, stronger than simply dim.