How do you use "In the black" in a sentence?

The company is finally in the black. We need to get this project in the black. After years of struggle, they're in the black.

In the black

Q: What does "In the black" mean?

Profitable, having positive balance Having positive finances, operating at a profit. From the accounting practice of writing profits in black ink (versus red for losses).

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Profitable, having positive balance

盈利，余额为正

Rentable, con saldo positivo

黒字、利益が出ている

흑자, 수익이 있는

Having positive finances, operating at a profit. From the accounting practice of writing profits in black ink (versus red for losses).

财务状况良好，经营盈利。来源于会计实务中用黑色墨水书写利润的做法（与表示亏损的红色相对）。

Tener finanzas positivas, operar con beneficios. Proviene de la práctica contable de escribir las ganancias en tinta negra (frente al rojo para las pérdidas).

財務がプラスで、利益を出して経営していること。利益を黒インクで書く会計慣行に由来する（損失の赤に対して）。

수익이 있거나 돈이 있다는 뜻의 금융 용어. 회계에서 양수를 검은 잉크로 적은 데서 유래했다. 'in the red'(적자)의 반대말.

Examples

The company is finally in the black.
公司终于盈利了
La empresa por fin está en números negros
その会社はようやく黒字になった
그 회사가 드디어 흑자로 돌아섰어.
We need to get this project in the black.
我们需要让这个项目实现盈利
Necesitamos que este proyecto dé beneficios
このプロジェクトを黒字にしなければ
이 프로젝트를 흑자로 만들어야 해.
After years of struggle, they're in the black.
经过多年的努力，他们盈利了
Después de años de lucha, están en positivo
何年もの苦労の末、彼らは黒字だ
수년간의 고생 끝에 그들은 흑자야.

Pronunciation

/ɪn ðə blæk/

Usage Guide

Context: profit, finances, success

Tone: positive, relieved

✓ Do Say

In the black
盈利中
En positivo
黒字で
흑자
Finally in the black
终于盈利了
Por fin en positivo
ようやく黒字
흑자로 돌아서다

✗ Don't Say

Very common financial expression
非常常见的金融用语
Expresión financiera muy común
非常に一般的な金融表現
표준 금융 용어예요

Common Mistakes

None—universally understood

Origin & History

From traditional accounting where profits were written in black ink while losses were in red. Being 'in the black' means showing profits.

Etymology: From black ink for positive numbers in accounting

First recorded: Early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Business news; Financial reports

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

In the blackFinally in the black