白々しい

• Reading: しらじらしい
• Romaji: shirajirashii
• Kanji breakdown: 白 (haku/shiro) — white, blank, obvious; しらじら — reduplication for emphasis; しい — adjective suffix
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.ɾa.dʑi.ɾa.ɕiː/

Meaning

Barefaced; shameless; transparent. Describes an excuse, lie, or attitude that is so obviously insincere it is almost insulting to the listener.

An i-adjective derived from 白い (white/blank) + らしい (seeming). The image is of something bleached of all substance — hollow and obvious. Often used when someone pretends not to know something they clearly do know, or tells a lie that everyone can see through. Carries a tone of contempt or weary exasperation.

Examples

1. 知らないふりをするなんて、白々しい態度だと思わないのか。 Don't you think pretending not to know is a pretty shameless act?
2. 彼は白々しい言い訳を並べたが、誰一人信じなかった。 He lined up one barefaced excuse after another, but not a single person believed him.
3. 遅刻の理由を白々しく説明されても、上司には全部お見通しだった。 Even when she transparently explained away her tardiness, the boss saw right through it all.

Usage Guide

Context: interpersonal, criticism, deception, workplace

Tone: contemptuous

Origin & History

From 白 (shiro, white) reduplicated as しらじら, conveying a pale, washed-out dawn light that reveals everything — nothing can be hidden. The suffix しい forms the i-adjective.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: General