黒字

• Reading: くろじ
• Romaji: kuroji
• Kanji breakdown: 黒 (kuro) — black; 字 (ji) — character, figure, number
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.ɾo.dʑi/

Meaning

Surplus; being in the black. A financial state where income exceeds expenses.

A compound noun: 黒 (black) + 字 (character/figure). The opposite of 赤字 (deficit/in the red). Derived from the accounting convention of writing profits in black ink. Common collocations: 黒字経営 (profitable management), 黒字転換 (turning profitable), 黒字決算 (surplus settlement).

Examples

1. 3年間の赤字を経て、ようやく黒字に転換した。 After three years in the red, the company finally turned a profit.
2. コスト削減の効果で、今期は黒字になる見込みだ。 Thanks to cost-cutting efforts, we expect to be in the black this quarter.
3. 中小企業の多くが黒字経営を維持するのに苦労している。 Many small businesses struggle to stay in the black.

Usage Guide

Context: business, finance, news

Tone: positive

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 黒 (kuro, black) + 字 (ji, character/figure). Mirrors the Western accounting convention of recording profits in black ink, contrasting with 赤字 (red figures = losses).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal