1.
red and white
The color combination of red and white, considered auspicious in Japanese culture. Used for celebrations, gifts, and festive occasions.
紅白の幕が張られていた。
Red and white curtains were hung up.
お祝いに紅白まんじゅうを配った。
We distributed red and white manju for the celebration.
開店祝いの花は紅白の胡蝶蘭が定番だ。
Red and white orchids are the standard gift for store openings.
2.
two competing teams or sides
A format in which participants are divided into a red team and a white team for competition. From the traditional Japanese practice of splitting groups into red and white sides.
運動会で紅白に分かれて戦う。
We split into red and white teams to compete at the sports day.
紅白歌合戦は大晦日の恒例番組だ。
The Red and White Song Contest is a regular New Year's Eve TV program.
今年の紅白戦は白チームが勝った。
The white team won this year's red-vs-white match.
USAGE:
Often used as a no-adjective modifier: 紅白の + noun. The combination of red and white is considered auspicious (縁起がいい) in Japanese culture, symbolizing joy and celebration.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 紅白まんじゅう: red and white manju (celebratory sweets)
- 紅白の幕: red and white curtains (for ceremonies)
- 紅白歌合戦: NHK Red and White Song Contest
- 紅白戦: red-vs-white competition
- 紅白に分かれる: to split into red and white teams
CULTURE:
NHK紅白歌合戦 is one of Japan's most-watched television programs, broadcast every New Year's Eve since 1951. Male and female singers are traditionally divided into white and red teams respectively.