Translation guide
Describes hair that is white in color, often due to aging, albinism, or dye. Japanese distinguishes between natural white/gray hair from aging and purely white hair from other causes.
Natural hair that has turned white or gray with age.
The standard word for white or gray hair that comes with age. Can refer to a single strand or the overall condition.
I've been getting more white hairs lately.
He has hair streaked with gray.
Literally 'white hair', but less common for age-related graying. More often used for hair that is naturally or artificially pure white.
My grandmother keeps her white hair cut short.
Hair that is completely white, such as from albinism, anime characters, or dye.
Emphasizes pure, snow-white hair. Common for describing striking white hair in fiction or fashion.
That character has pure white hair.
Can sometimes be used for non-aging white hair, but usually implies aging. Context dependent.
May be misinterpreted as premature graying. Use 真っ白な髪 for clarity when aging is not the cause.
Neutral 'white hair', but can sound plain. Often used in descriptive contexts.
A girl with white hair was standing there.
Referring to the white hair of animals.
Used for animal fur or hair. 毛 (け) specifically means animal hair/fur.
That cat has white fur.
白髪 (しらが) specifically means hair that has turned white or gray due to aging. 白い髪 (しろいかみ) simply means white-colored hair and can refer to dyed hair, albino hair, or fictional characters. Using 白髪 for a young person with naturally white hair may cause confusion.
She has white hair even though she's young.