白: the kanji for white
白 is a JLPT N5 kanji that means white. Below are its readings, 12 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
白 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
白 has 5 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 11 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ハク (haku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 白紙はくし · hakushi | blank paper; a clean slate |
| 白鳥はくちょう · hakuchō | swan |
| 明白めいはく · meihaku | obvious |
| 紅白こうはく · kōhaku | red and white |
| 白菜はくさい · hakusai | napa cabbage |
| 告白こくはく · kokuhaku | confession |
しろ (shiro)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 白しろ · shiro | white |
| 白黒しろくろ · shirokuro | black and white |
| 真っ白まっしろ · masshiro | pure white |
しら (shira)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 白けるしらける · shirakeru | to lose its fun (a mood) |
しろい (shiroi)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 白いしろい · shiroi | white |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 白, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 白髪しらが · shiraga | gray hair |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 白い封筒に入れてください。Shiroi fūtō ni irete kudasai.Please put it in a white envelope.
- 計画は白紙に戻りました。Keikaku wa hakushi ni modorimashita.The plan went back to the drawing board.
- 白黒で印刷してください。Shirokuro de insatsu shite kudasai.Please print it in black and white.
- 年末に紅白歌合戦を見ます。Nenmatsu ni Kōhaku Uta Gassen o mimasu.I watch the Kohaku Song Festival at the end of the year.
- 最近、白髪が増えました。Saikin, shiraga ga fuemashita.I've been getting more gray hair lately.
- 冬は外が真っ白になります。Fuyu wa soto ga masshiro ni narimasu.Everything outside turns white in winter.
Questions about 白
How many strokes does 白 have?
白 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 白?
The on readings are haku (ハク), byaku (ビャク). The kun readings are shiro (しろ), shira (しら), shiroi (しろい).
What does 白紙に戻す mean?
白紙に戻す (hakushi ni modosu) means to start over from the beginning. 白紙 (hakushi) is a blank sheet of paper.
What JLPT level is 白?
N5. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N5 is designed to match the former Level 4.
More JLPT N5 kanji
Things and descriptions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 白
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.