1.
black and white, monochrome
The combination of the colors black and white. Used to describe photographs, films, or images without color.
白黒の写真が好きだ。
I like black-and-white photographs.
この映画は白黒で撮影された。
This film was shot in black and white.
古い白黒テレビが祖父母の家にまだ残っている。
An old black-and-white TV still remains at my grandparents' house.
2.
right and wrong, guilt or innocence
A figurative use meaning the distinction between right and wrong, or whether something is true or false. Often used in the phrase 白黒をつける (to settle/determine).
白黒をつけよう。
Let's settle this once and for all.
この問題に白黒をつけるのは難しい。
It is difficult to determine right and wrong on this issue.
裁判で白黒がはっきりするまで何も言えない。
I can't say anything until the trial makes things clear.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is used as a noun modifier: 白黒の写真 (black-and-white photo), 白黒映画 (black-and-white film). Note the order is "white-black" in Japanese, opposite to English "black and white."
For sense 2, the key phrase is 白黒をつける (to settle/determine guilt or innocence). 白 represents innocence and 黒 represents guilt.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 白黒写真: black-and-white photo
- 白黒映画: black-and-white film
- 白黒をつける: to determine right or wrong
- 白黒はっきりさせる: to make things black and white (clear)