Japanese word

真っ白

Pronunciation

Romajimasshiro

Meaning

  • na-adjectivepure white

Example

雪は真っ白です。yuki wa ma sshiro de su

The snow is pure white.

Illustration for 真っ白 (pure white)

More examples

部屋の壁を真っ白に塗り替えました。heya no kabe o ma sshiro ni nu ri ka e ma shi ta

I repainted the walls of the room pure white.

Core concept

Describes a color that is completely white, without any visible tint or shade.

Common phrases

  • 真っ白な雲ma sshiro na kumo

    pure white clouds

  • 真っ白な壁ma sshiro na kabe

    a pure white wall

  • 真っ白に塗るma sshiro ni nu ru

    paint something pure white

Similar words

純白junpaku: Describes a completely white color with no mixed hue, often in formal or written descriptions.

Definition in Japanese

色に少しのくすみや他の色みもなく、完全に白いさま。iro ni suko shi no ku su mi ya hoka no iro mi mo na ku kan zen ni shiro i sa ma

Word origin

The Japanese word 真っ白 (masshiro, "pure white") uses 真 (ma, "true") as an intensifying element before 白 (shiro, "white") to express complete whiteness.

Usage tips

  • Japanese speakers also use 真っ白 (masshiro) for a blank page or a mind that suddenly goes blank, linking physical whiteness with the absence of marks or thoughts.

Opposites

Related words

  • 真っ白さmasshirosapure whitenessnoun

Word lists with this word