Translation and Meaning of: 白い - shiroi

The Japanese word 白い[しろい] is a fundamental term for those learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and everyday uses, along with cultural curiosities that make this word so special. If you have ever wondered how the Japanese perceive the color white or how to memorize 白い efficiently, keep reading to find out.

Meaning and use of 白い

白い is an adjective that means "white" in Japanese, describing objects, surfaces, or even skin tones. Unlike in Portuguese, where "branco" can be used as a noun, in Japanese it almost always functions as a modifier. For example, 白い紙[しろいかみ] means "white paper," while 白[しろ] alone is the noun "whiteness" or "the color white."

In addition to its literal meaning, 白い carries connotations of purity and cleanliness in Japanese culture. This association is evident in Shinto shrines, where the color white dominates the buildings, or in traditional clothing such as the shiro-maku, a white wedding dress symbolizing purity. It is worth noting that, although it is a common term, its excessive use may sound repetitive – poetic alternatives like 真っ白[まっしろ] (pure white) appear in literature and music.

Origin and writing of the kanji 白

The kanji 白 has an interesting history. Some theories suggest that it derives from an ancient pictogram representing a ray of sunlight, associated with brightness and, by extension, the color white. Other interpretations point to a connection with the concept of "clarity" or "revelation," present in words like 明白[めいはく] (obvious, clear). Regardless of the exact origin, the radical 白 appears in other kanjis related to luminosity, such as 皓[こう] (bright) and 皐[さつき] (beginning of summer).

To memorize the writing, a useful tip is to break down the kanji into its main strokes: start with the horizontal stroke at the top, then the "little leg" on the left, and finally the inner square. Students often associate its shape with a small window letting in sunlight – an image that helps to solidify both the meaning and the writing.

White in culture and everyday language

In Japan, the color white goes beyond aesthetics. It is deeply connected to rituals and traditions, such as the white paper origami used in Shinto ceremonies or the 白鉢巻[しろはちまき] tied around the head as a symbol of determination. Even in cuisine, dishes like 白米[はくまい] (white rice) hold the status of essential food, contrasting with brown rice which is considered less refined.

In everyday conversations, 白い appears in useful expressions. Someone saying 顔が白い[かおがしろい] may be pale from shock, while 白い嘘[しろいうそ] refers to a "white lie." A common mistake among learners is to confuse 白い with 明るい[あかるい] (light/bright), but the difference is simple: the former describes color, while the latter describes brightness. If you want to sound natural, pay attention to these details – they make all the difference.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

白色 (しろい) - White color
白色 (はくしょく) - Whiteness, the state of being white

Related words

青白い

aojiroi

pale; no color

面白い

omoshiroi

interesting; fun

青い

aoi

blue; pale; green; green; inexperienced

雪

yuki

snow

真っ白

masshiro

Pure white

真っ青

massao

Deep blue; pale

白い

Romaji: shiroi
Kana: しろい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: white

Meaning in English: white

Definition: The color is white.

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How to Write in Japanese - (白い) shiroi

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (白い) shiroi:

Example Sentences - (白い) shiroi

See below some example sentences:

青白い肌が美しいです。

Aojiroi hada ga utsukushii desu

Pale skin is beautiful.

青白い (aojirai) - pale, whitish
肌 (hada) - pele
が (ga) - subject particle
美しい (utsukushii) - pretty, beautiful
です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

面白い映画を見た。

Muzukashii eiga wo mita

I watched an interesting movie.

I saw an interesting movie.

面白い - interesting/fun
映画 - movie
を - direct object particle
見た - saw (past tense of the verb "miru")

理科は面白いです。

Rika wa omoshiroi desu

Science is interesting.

理科 - means "science" in Japanese.
は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "science".
面白い - adjective that means "interesting" or "fun".
です - The word "ser" in Japanese, used to indicate the existence or quality of something.

化学は面白いです。

Kagaku wa omoshiroi desu

Chemistry is interesting.

化学 - chemistry
は - Topic particle
面白い - interesting
です - the verb "to be" in polite form

なんか面白いことが起こるかもしれない。

Nanka omoshiroi koto ga okoru kamoshirenai

Something interesting might happen.

なんか - Noun that indicates something vague or undefined.
面白い - adjective that means "interesting" or "fun".
こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
起こる - Verb that means "happen" or "occur".
かもしれない - Expression that indicates possibility or uncertainty, equivalent to "perhaps" or "maybe".

この番組は面白いですね。

Kono bangumi wa omoshiroi desu ne

this program is interesting

This program is interesting.

この - this
番組 - program
は - Topic particle
面白い - interesting/fun
です - verb ser/estar (polite)
ね - confirmation particle

この作家の小説はとても面白いです。

Kono sakka no shousetsu wa totemo omoshiroi desu

This writer's novel is very interesting.

この - demonstrative indicating proximity, in this case "this"
作家 - noun that means "writer"
の - particle indicating possession, in this case "of"
小説 - noun that means "romance" or "novel"
は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
とても - adverb meaning "very"
面白い - adjective meaning "interesting" or "fun"
です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the present, in this case, "é"