蒼白(そうはく)

そうはく
noun, adjective-na
pale, pallid
1. pale, pallid, ashen, white as a sheet
Describes a face or complexion that has lost its natural color due to shock, fear, illness, or fatigue. Suggests an unhealthy or alarming degree of paleness.
彼(かれ)の顔(かお)は蒼白(そうはく)だった。
His face was deathly pale.
知(し)らせを聞(き)いて、彼女(かのじょ)は蒼白(そうはく)になった。
Upon hearing the news, she turned pale.
蒼白(そうはく)な顔(かお)で震(ふる)えている彼(かれ)を見(み)て、何(なに)か大変(たいへん)なことが起(お)きたのだと悟(さと)った。
Seeing him pale-faced and trembling, I realized something terrible had happened.

USAGE:
A literary or formal word primarily used in written language and fiction. Describes an extreme, alarming paleness rather than simply having fair skin. Almost always refers to the face.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 蒼白(そうはく): deathly pale (literary, dramatic)
  • 青白(あおじろ)い: pale, wan (everyday adjective)
  • 真(ま)っ青(さお): pale with shock (colloquial)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 蒼白(そうはく)な顔(かお): a pallid face
  • 蒼白(そうはく)になる: to turn pale/ashen
  • 顔面(がんめん)蒼白(そうはく): ashen-faced (set phrase)
general
Added 2026.2.27 19:17
14000/14054_souhaku