prefix
Prefix meaning 'white' or 'pure white', used in compounds like 白波 (しらなみ, whitecaps) or 白鳥 (しらとり, swan).
白波が立つ海を見ていた。
I was looking at the sea with whitecaps.
prefix
unseasoned; undyed; unaltered
Prefix indicating something in its natural, unprocessed state, such as unseasoned food or undyed fabric. Common in words like 白木 (しらき, unfinished wood) or 白焼き (しらやき, grilled without sauce).
白焼きの魚は素材の味が楽しめる。
Unseasoned grilled fish lets you enjoy the natural flavor of the ingredients.
prefix
Intensifying prefix, often used in older or literary expressions. Seen in words like 白々明け (しらじらあけ, the first light of dawn) or 白々しい (しらじらしい, blatant).
「白々しい」の「白」は、あからさまな様子を強調する接頭辞だ。
The 白 in 白々しい is a prefix that emphasizes blatantness.
prefix
playing dumb
Prefix used in the verb しらばくれる (to play dumb, to feign ignorance). Rare and limited to this specific compound.
See also: しらばくれる
彼は知っているくせに、しらばくれてとぼけた。
He knew perfectly well, but he played dumb and acted innocent.
noun, na-adjective
Noun or adjectival noun meaning sincere, honest, or diligent. Often used in the phrase 白を切る (しらをきる, to feign innocence) or 白々しい (しらじらしい, transparently false).
彼の白々しい言い訳には呆れた。
I was disgusted by his transparently false excuse.
しろ is the standard noun for 'white', while しら is a prefix or bound form used in compounds.
The prefix しら is a bound form of しろ (white), appearing in older compounds. Its extended meanings (unseasoned, pure, intensifying) derive from the core idea of 'white' or 'blank'.