白

• Pinyin: bái
• Hanzi breakdown: 白 = pictograph originally depicting something white or bright

Meaning

White. The colour white; also means 'blank', 'plain', or 'in vain'.

As an adjective, primarily means 'white' in colour. Extended meanings include 'blank' (白纸, blank paper), 'plain' (白水, plain water), and 'in vain' (白做, done for nothing). Often combined with 色 to form 白色 (the colour white).

Examples

1. 她穿了一件白色的衣服。 She wore a white piece of clothing.
2. 我喜欢白色。 I like white.
3. 天上有白云。 There are white clouds in the sky.

Usage Guide

Context: colour, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她的猫是白色的。(Her cat is white.)
• 我要一杯白水。(I'd like a glass of plain water.)

Don't Say

• 说别人'白'来形容皮肤 (Commenting on skin colour with 白 can be sensitive — be mindful of context)

Origin & History

Originally a pictograph depicting the shape of an acorn or the white of a fingernail. The core meaning has always been 'white' or 'bright'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal