1.
pale; pallid; wan
Describes a face or complexion that looks unhealthily pale, often due to illness, shock, or fear.
顔が青白い。
Your face looks pale.
彼は青白い顔で立っていた。
He was standing there with a pale face.
熱があるのか、朝から顔色が青白かった。
Perhaps he had a fever — his complexion was pale since morning.
2.
bluish-white; pale (light)
Describes a faint, cold, bluish-white light or color.
月が青白く光っていた。
The moon shone with a pale bluish light.
蛍光灯の青白い光が部屋を照らしていた。
The bluish-white light of the fluorescent lamp illuminated the room.
夜明け前の空が青白く染まり始めた。
The sky before dawn began to take on a pale bluish tinge.
An i-adjective. Compound of 青 (blue) + 白い (white).
FORMS:
- Adverbial: 青白く
- Noun form: 青白さ
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 顔が青白い (face is pale)
- 青白い光 (pale/bluish-white light)
- 青白い肌 (pale skin)
When describing a person's complexion, 青白い implies ill health or shock. It is not used as a compliment for fair skin — 色白 is used instead.