白い
しろい
i-adjective
white
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 白い | 白くない |
| Past | 白かった | 白くなかった |
| て form | 白くて | 白くなくて |
| Adverbial | 白く | — |
| Conditional ば | 白ければ | 白くなければ |
| Conditional たら | 白かったら | 白くなかったら |
1.
white
Having the color of snow or milk.
白い is an i-adjective meaning white.
FORMS:
- Noun form: 白 (the color white)
- Adverbial: 白く (白くなる = to become white)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 白い目で見る: to look at with cold/critical eyes
- 白い息: visible breath (in cold weather)
- 白黒: black and white
CULTURE:
White symbolizes purity and cleanliness in Japan. It's worn at weddings (bride's 白無垢) but also associated with mourning.
CONTRAST:
- 白い: white
- 黒い: black