“White” in Japanese is 白い (しろい), pronounced shiroi.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
White. The noun is 白 (shiro).
Example sentences
- 白いシャツを着ています。しろいシャツをきています。He’s wearing a white shirt.
- 雪は白いです。ゆきはしろいです。Snow is white.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 白い. The rules are explained in い- vs. な-adjectives.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Plain | 白い しろい | white |
| Polite present | 白いです しろいです | is white |
| Negative | 白くないです しろくないです | isn’t white |
| Past | 白かったです しろかったです | was white |
| Past negative | 白くなかったです しろくなかったです | wasn’t white |
| て-form | 白くて しろくて | white and… |
| Adverb (く) | 白く しろく | adverb form (+ verb) |
Quick practice
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Related words: Adjectives
FAQ
How do you say white in Japanese?
White in Japanese is 白い (しろい), pronounced “shiroi”.
How do you write white in Japanese?
It's written 白い with kanji, or しろい in hiragana. Both are read shiroi.
Is 白い on the JLPT?
Yes. 白い (shiroi) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.