Looking up...
洁白如雪
jiébái rú xuě◆idiom
pure white as snow
她的婚纱洁白如雪，在阳光下闪闪发光。
Her wedding dress was pure white as snow, shimmering in the sunlight.
literary
Extremely pure and clean white, evoking the pristine whiteness of snow.
这块布料洁白如雪，没有一丝污渍。
This fabric is pure white as snow, with not a speck of dirt.
她的皮肤洁白如雪，宛如瓷器一般。
Her skin was pure white as snow, like fine porcelain.
Often used to describe objects (e.g., fabric, snow, skin) or abstract purity (e.g., innocence, virtue).
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing in formal writing
While '洁白如雪' is poetic, it may sound clichéd in academic or technical contexts. Opt for '纯白' (chúnbái) or '雪白' (xuěbái) for neutral descriptions.
Gold Rule
Literal vs. figurative meaning
This idiom describes visual whiteness, not abstract concepts like 'purity of heart.' Use '纯洁' (chúnjié) for moral purity.
Word Origin
The idiom combines '洁白' (pure white) and '如雪' (like snow), drawing a vivid comparison to emphasize extreme whiteness. The structure 'X如Y' (X as Y) is a classical Chinese literary device for simile.
Usage Notes
Common in both classical and modern Chinese literature. Often used in poetic or descriptive contexts to evoke purity, innocence, or beauty. Avoid literal interpretation in non-visual contexts.
Word Breakdown
洁白
pure white
compound如
like/as
particle雪
snow
noun汉英词典