Japanese word

白髪

Pronunciation

Romajishiraga

Meaning

  • noungray hair

Example

最近、白髪が増えました。sai kin shiraga ga fu e ma shi ta

I have more gray hair now.

Illustration for 白髪 (gray hair)

More examples

鏡を見ると、白髪が一本見つかりました。kagami o mi ru to shiraga ga ichi pon mi tsu ka ri ma shi ta

I found one gray hair when I looked in the mirror.

Core concept

Describes hair that appears white or gray as its dark pigment decreases, often with age.

Common phrases

  • 白髪が目立つshiraga ga me da tsu

    gray hair stands out

  • 白髪が増えるshiraga ga fu e ru

    get more gray hair

Definition in Japanese

色素が減るなどして、髪が白色や灰色になったもの。shiki so ga he ru na do shi te kami ga haku shoku ya hai iro ni na tta mo no

Word origin

The native Japanese compound 白髪 (shiraga) combines 白 (shira, "white") and 髪 (kami, "hair"), with rendaku changing kami to gami.

Usage tips

  • In English, gray hair can describe a mixture of dark and pale strands, not only hair that is completely gray.

Word lists with this word