黒ん坊

Japanese

Etymology

Kanji in this term
くろ(ん)
Grade: 2
ぼう
Grade: S
kun'yomi goon
Alternative spellings
黑ん坊 (kyūjitai)
黒坊

/kuroboː//kuroɴbo/

Shift from older kurobō reading, with the medial /b/ undergoing emphasis by means of an excrescent nasal. Compare あまり (amari) and あんまり (anmari), どぶり (doburi) and どんぶり (donburi).

First attested in 1651.[1]

Pronunciation

Noun

(くろ)(ぼう) • (kuronbōくろんばう (kuronbau)?

  1. [from 1651] someone with temporarily dark skin, such as due to a suntan or being dirty
  2. [from 1712] an ear of grain that has turned black due to infection by smut
    Synonym: 黒穂 (kurobo, literally black + grain ear)
  3. [from 1764] (derogatory) a black person; a nigger
    Synonym: (not derogatory) 黒人 (kokujin)
  4. [from 1775] (theater, kabuki) a role in a later part of a performance, played by someone dressed in black as a stagehand; the person playing such a role
    Synonym: 黒子 (kuroko)
  5. [from 1801] a monk dressed in black robes
    Coordinate term: 坊主 (bōzu, monk)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Nihon Kokugo Daijiten Dai-ni-han Henshū I'inkai (日本国語大辞典第二版編集委員会) (2001-2002), 日本国語大辞典 第二版 [Unabridged Japanese Dictionary: Second Edition], Tokyo (東京都): Shōgakukan (小学館), →ISBN
  2. ^ Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 [Daijirin] (in Japanese), Third edition, Tokyo: Sanseidō, →ISBN
  3. ^ Kindaichi, Kyōsuke et al., editors (1997), 新明解国語辞典 [Shin Meikai Kokugo Jiten] (in Japanese), Fifth edition, Tokyo: Sanseidō, →ISBN