This study aims to explore the connotative meanings of the color black in German, English, and Macedonian idiomatic expressions, focusing on its symbolic significance and cultural associations across different linguistic contexts. It is expected that the color black will predominantly carry negative connotations, often linked to death, danger, mourning, and pessimism, due to its historical and cultural associations. In German, expressions like “schwarz sehen” (to see things pessimistically) and “schwarze Katze” (black cat, often associated with bad luck) highlight these negative connotations. In English, idioms such as “black sheep” (a person who is considered odd or out of place within a group) and “in the black” (referring to a profitable financial state) demonstrate both negative and positive associations with the color black. In Macedonian, idiomatic expressions like “црна работа” (something difficult or troublesome) and “црна судбина” (a dark fate) also reflect the association of black with misfortune and hardship. However, more neutral or even positive associations of black, such as “black-tie event” (a formal event) in English or “црна чаша” (a cherished moment, sometimes in a metaphorical sense) in Macedonian, may indicate sophistication or elegance. The research methodology involves collecting idiomatic expressions containing the word “black” in all three languages, sourced from dictionaries, literature, and digital platforms. The aim of this study is to uncover how these idioms utilize the color black to reflect diverse psychological, moral, and cultural perceptions across German, English, and Macedonian-speaking communities.

Keywords: Connotative meaning, Color symbolism, Black (color), Idiomatic expressions, Cross-cultural comparison.