白旗(しらはた)

しらはた
noun
white flag
1. white flag; flag of surrender
A plain white flag used as a symbol of surrender, truce, or ceasefire. Also used figuratively to mean giving up.
白旗(しらはた)を上(あ)げる。
To raise a white flag.
敵(てき)が白旗(しらはた)を振(ふ)って降伏(こうふく)した。
The enemy waved a white flag and surrendered.
あまりにも難(むずか)しい問題(もんだい)だったので、白旗(しらはた)を上(あ)げてしまった。
The problem was so difficult that I gave up.
Figurative use meaning "to give up."

白旗(しらはた) is a white flag used as a universal symbol of surrender, truce, or ceasefire. It is also used figuratively in everyday Japanese to mean giving up or admitting defeat. The word can also be read しろはた, but しらはた is the standard reading.

Common expressions

The expression 白旗(しらはた)を上(あ)げる is frequently used figuratively to mean giving up on a task or challenge.

Related words

Related Words

Related: 赤旗 (red flag)
Related: 旗印(はたじるし) (banner)
general
Added 2026.3.25 22:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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