白はく衣い

noun

white clothes; white robe

General term for white garments; can refer to any white clothing or a white robe.

• 彼かの女じょは白はく衣いを着きて、まるで天てん使しのようだった。

  She wore white clothes and looked just like an angel.

noun

white coat; lab coat; doctor's white gown

Only with reading はくい

Specifically the white coat or gown worn by doctors, scientists, pharmacists, and other professionals. Most commonly read はくい.

• 医い者しゃは白はく衣いを着きて診しん察さつ室しつに入はいった。

  The doctor put on a white coat and entered the examination room.

• 研けん究きゅう室しつでは白はく衣いを着ちゃく用ようしてください。

  Please wear a lab coat in the laboratory.

noun

commoner without rank (in ancient China)

Only with reading はくい / はくえ

Historical term referring to a commoner without official rank in ancient China. Read はくい or はくえ.

• 古こ代だい中ちゅう国ごくでは、白はく衣いは官かん位いを持もたない庶しょ民みんを指さした。

  In ancient China, 白衣 referred to commoners without official rank.

noun

layperson (Buddhism)

Only with reading びゃくえ / はくえ / しろきぬ / しろぎぬ

In Buddhist contexts, a layperson as opposed to a monk or priest. Read びゃくえ, はくえ, しろきぬ, or しろぎぬ. The antonym is 緇衣 (しえ), meaning a black-robed priest.

Antonyms: 緇衣 (しえ)

• 白びゃく衣えの信しん者じゃが寺てらに集あつまった。

  Lay believers gathered at the temple.