Oscuridad vs. tiniebla
Spanish, just like any other language, has synonyms that refer to similar ideas or concepts but are used in different contexts or convey slightly different nuances. This is the case with 'oscuridad' and 'tiniebla', two words that both translate to 'darkness' in English.
Oscuridad
In Spanish, 'oscuridad' refers to absence or low presence of light, preventing vision. The term is often utilized in a broader context for generic references to darkness or lack of illumination.
La luna desapareció y la noche cayó en oscuridad total.
(The moon disappeared and the night fell into total darkness.)
No puedo leer el libro debido a la oscuridad de la habitación.
(I can't read the book due to the darkness of the room.)
Tiniebla
'Tiniebla' also means 'darkness', but it is usually used in more poetic, literary or figurative contexts. It can refer to an extreme form of darkness often associated with fear, confusion, or mystery.
Se adentró en las tinieblas del bosque desconocido.
(He ventured into the gloom of the unknown forest.)
La tiniebla de su pasado lo persigue constantemente.
(The darkness of his past constantly haunts him.)
Summary
'Oscuridad' and 'tiniebla' both translate to 'darkness', but differ slightly in their use and context. While 'oscuridad' generally refers to the absence or lack of light, 'tiniebla' typically takes on a more figurative connotation, being associated more with themes such as fear, obscurity and mystery.