白
white
Readings
On'yomi
- ハク
- ビャク
Kun'yomi
- しろ
- しら-
- しろ.い
Nanori
- あき
- か
- はっ
Meaning
白 centers on the color white, representing purity, brightness, or blankness.
Most common words using 白
24 of 731- 面白いおもしろいN5
interesting; fascinating; intriguing; enthralling
- 白しろN5
white
- 白いしろいN5
white
- 告白こくはくN1
confession (to a crime, wrongdoing, etc.); admission
- 白人はくじんN1
white person; Caucasian
- 紅白こうはくN1
red and white; colours for festive or auspicious occasions (colors)
- 白色しろいろ
white
- 明白めいはくN1
obvious; clear; plain; evident; apparent; explicit; overt
- 白黒しろくろ
black and white; monochrome
- 真っ白まっしろN3
pure white
- 白鳥はくちょうN1
swan (Cygnus spp.)
- 空白くうはくN1
blank space (in a document)
- 自白じはくN1
confession; admission
- 白髪しらがN3
white hair; grey hair; gray hair
- 白紙はくしN1
white paper; flyleaf
- 白熱はくねつN1
white heat; incandescence; (emitting) white light; white glow
- 白衣はくいN1
white clothes; white robe
- 白米はくまい
polished rice; (uncooked) white rice
- 白書はくしょN1
white paper (government report)
- 白血病はっけつびょう
leukemia; leukaemia
- 白菜はくさいN1
napa cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis); nappa cabbage; Chinese cabbage
- 白馬はくば
white horse
- 潔白けっぱくN1
innocence; guiltlessness; purity; uprightness; integrity
- 漂白ひょうはく
blanching; bleaching
Study
Etymology
白 is traditionally explained as a pictograph of an acorn or a white object, though the exact origin is debated. The modern form is simple and iconic.
Meaning mnemonic
The shape 白 looks like a blank white canvas waiting to be filled.
Reading mnemonic
For ハク, imagine a white hawk soaring against a bright sky: hawk -> ハク.