also: こくびゃく · こくはく
Only with reading くろしろ
Literal pairing or contrast of black and white. In many everyday contexts 白黒 is more common, but 黒白 is attested and understandable.
The floor has a black-and-white checkerboard pattern.
right and wrong; black and white; rights and wrongs of a matter
Only with reading こくびゃく / こくはく
Figurative use for deciding which side is right or what the truth of a dispute is. Somewhat stiff or formal; commonest in fixed expressions such as 黒白をつける and 黒白を明らかにする.
They will settle the rights and wrongs of this dispute in court.
Once the evidence is gathered, the truth of the case will become clear.
Both sides are disputing the rights and wrongs of the contract.
The truth of the matter finally became clear in the trial.