also: しろむ
白む · godan verb (-mu)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 白む | 白まない |
| Polite | 白みます | 白みません |
| Past polite | 白みました | 白みませんでした |
| Past | 白んだ | 白まなかった |
| Te-form | 白んで | 白まないで |
| Desire | 白みたい | 白みたくない |
| Potential | 白める | 白めない |
| Passive | 白まれる | 白まれない |
| Causative | 白ませる | 白ませない |
| Causative passive | 白ませられるalso 白まされる | 白ませられないalso 白まされない |
| Volitional | 白もう | |
| Polite volitional | 白みましょう | |
| Imperative | 白め | 白むな |
| Conditional | 白めば | 白まなければ |
| Tara conditional | 白んだら | 白まなかったら |
godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb
whiten; grow light; turn white
Describes something becoming white or pale, or the sky growing light at dawn. Common in phrases like 空が白む (the sky lightens) or 顔が白む (face turns pale).
The eastern sky began to grow light.
His face turned white with fear.
godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb
Used for moods, enthusiasm, or atmosphere becoming chilled or spoiled. Often appears as 興が白む or 気持ちが白む.
His single remark dampened the mood of the gathering.
The rain spoiled our long-awaited picnic.
godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb
Archaic senses covering various kinds of weakening: physical debilitation, loss of momentum or spirit, fading color, or loss of musical tone. Not used in modern Japanese outside of historical or literary contexts.
In classical texts, 白む can express a decline in vigor, as in 'momentum falters'.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji is not needed.