白
这张纸是白色的。
This piece of paper is white.
Having the color of milk or fresh snow; the lightest color, reflecting or emitting all visible light wavelengths.
她穿了一件白色的连衣裙。
She wore a white dress.
白雪覆盖了整个山顶。
White snow covered the entire mountaintop.
Commonly used to describe objects, colors, or abstract concepts (e.g., 'white lie').
Bright; clear (of light or sky).
今天天空很白。
The sky is very bright today.
Often describes natural light or weather.
In vain; for nothing; to no avail.
我的努力白费了。
My efforts were in vain.
Used as an adverb in this sense.
Free of charge; gratis.
这本书是白送的。
This book is given away for free.
Colloquial usage.
Blank; empty; without content.
这张纸上什么都没有，完全是白的。
This paper has nothing on it; it's completely blank.
Describes physical or metaphorical emptiness.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 白 and 白色
Use 白 as an adjective directly (e.g., 白纸 'white paper'), while 白色 is a noun meaning 'the color white' (e.g., 白色的纸 'paper of the color white').
Gold Rule
Color vs. Metaphorical Use
When describing color, 白 is an adjective (e.g., 白衬衫 'white shirt'). For abstract meanings like 'in vain,' it functions as an adverb (e.g., 白费力气 'waste effort').
Word Origin
From Old Chinese *bˤrak (bright, white), related to Proto-Sino-Tibetan *b-lak (white, bright). The character 白 depicts the sun (日) shining brightly, originally representing daylight or clarity.
Usage Notes
1. As a color, 白 is fundamental and appears in many compounds (e.g., 白色, 白纸). 2. In phrases like '白跑一趟' (make a trip for nothing), 白 emphasizes futility. 3. Avoid overusing 白 to mean 'free' in formal contexts; use 免费 instead.