白

bái

HSK 2.0Level 2

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

bái (adjective) white

bái (adjective) pure; clear; blank; empty

bái (adverb) in vain; for nothing

bái (verb) to explain; to state

Etymology

Origin unclear. Possibly depicts a thumb or a person's face.

About

The origin of 白 is unclear; it may depict a thumb or a person's face. It functions as an independent radical and is the primary character for the color white, conveying brightness, purity, and clarity. From this literal association with white and bright light, its meaning extended to abstract concepts: being clear, making obvious, speaking plainly, doing something in vain, or indicating something blank and empty.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

天空是白色的。

Tiānkōng shì báisè de.

The sky is white.

我买了一件白衬衫。

Wǒ mǎi le yī jiàn bái chènshān.

I bought a white shirt.

他白跑了一趟。

Tā bái pǎo le yī tàng.

He made a trip for nothing.

我终于明白了。

Wǒ zhōngyú míngbái le.

I finally understood.

白天工作，晚上学习。

Báitiān gōngzuò, wǎnshàng xuéxí.

Work during the day, study at night.

他的头发都白了。

Tā de tóufa dōu bái le.

His hair has all turned white.

这部电影白看了一场。

Zhè bù diànyǐng bái kàn le yī chǎng.

This movie was a waste of time to watch.

她白费了不少心思。

Tā bái fèi le bù shǎo xīnsī.

She wasted a lot of effort.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 白

Example Words