暗黙

• Reading: あんもく
• Romaji: anmoku
• Kanji breakdown: 暗 (an) — dark, hidden; 黙 (moku) — silence
• Pronunciation: /aɴ.mo.kɯ/

Meaning

Tacit; implicit; unspoken. Something understood without being stated explicitly.

A noun most commonly seen in the compound 暗黙の了解 (tacit understanding) or 暗黙の前提 (implicit assumption). Refers to shared knowledge or agreements that no one articulates but everyone observes. Deeply connected to Japanese communication culture (察する — reading the air). In knowledge management, 暗黙知 (tacit knowledge) contrasts with 形式知 (explicit knowledge).

Examples

1. このオフィスでは定時で帰りづらいという暗黙のルールがある。 In this office, there's an unspoken rule that makes it hard to leave on time.
2. 長年の付き合いから、二人の間には暗黙の了解が生まれていた。 After years of friendship, a tacit understanding had developed between the two of them.
3. 暗黙の前提を疑うことが、イノベーションの第一歩だ。 Questioning tacit assumptions is the first step toward innovation.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace culture, communication, social norms, knowledge management

Tone: observational

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 暗 (an) means dark or hidden, 黙 (moku) means silence. Together: 'silent darkness,' implying what is communicated without speech.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Universal