真っ白
masshiro
The English phrase "pure white" is translated into Japanese as 真っ白 (masshiro).
真っ白 refers to a color that is completely white without any other tints or shades. Beyond describing color, it is often used metaphorically to describe a mind or memory that has gone completely blank.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix 真 (ma), which acts as an intensifier meaning "pure", "completely" or "truly", combined with white.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 真っ白 to modify a noun directly, it takes the particle な, such as in 真っ白なドレス (a pure white dress). When used as a predicate to end a sentence, it can end with だ or です.
How do you pronounce it?
masshiro
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the color 白 (white) is not only associated with purity but is also historically linked to death and the clothing worn by mourners.
- In traditional Japanese theater, certain makeup styles use a 真っ白 base to dehumanize the character or represent a ghost, shifting the meaning from 'purity' to 'supernatural'.
- The prefix 真 (ma) used in 真っ白 is the same character used in 真っ直ぐ (massugu), meaning 'straight', suggesting a conceptual link between 'purity' and 'straightness'.
Examples in context
- このタオル、真っ白だよ。This towel is pure white.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a towel using 真っ白.Tatoeba #10125522 by small_snow, translation #8530007 by Amastan
- 花嫁さんは真っ白なドレスを着ていました。The bride was wearing a pure white dress.This sentence shows how to use the adjective form 真っ白な to modify a noun.Tatoeba #10125520 by small_snow, translation #10281688 by tsp_2
- 彼女のウェディングドレスは真っ白でした。Her wedding dress was pure white.
- その部屋のカーテンは純白でした。The curtains in that room were pure white.
- 彼のTシャツはまっしろだね。His T-shirt is pure white, right?
- 彼女の猫は毛が純白なんだよ。Her cat has completely white fur, you know?
- 彼の絵は、雪のように真っ白だ。His painting is pure white, like snow.
- 真っ白な雪が積もっています。masshiro na yuki ga tsumotte imasu.Pure white snow is piling up.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are looking at a newly painted wall in a room.
- 蓮 Ren壁が真っ白になったね。kabe ga masshiro ni natta ne.The wall has become pure white, hasn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当。とても綺麗だよ。hontou. totemo kirei da yo.It really is. It's very beautiful.
- 蓮 Ren明るい部屋になりそうだよ。akarui heya ni narisou da yo.It looks like it will be a bright room.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮くんのセンスがいいからね。ren-kun no sensu ga ii kara ne.That's because you have good taste, Ren.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
