Common Meanings
1
bái白
White color, like snow or milk: white color, white rice.
白色的花很漂亮。
White flowers are very beautiful.
Bright; daylight, referring to daytime or used in the idiom 'daydream' (literally 'daylight dream').
你别白日做梦了，这件事不可能发生。
Stop daydreaming; this is impossible to happen.
clear; plain; to understand
我终于明白你的意思了。
I finally understand what you mean.
pure; innocent; unblemished
她一生清白，从未与任何流言蜚语沾边。
She lived an innocent life, never involved in any gossip or rumors.
Empty; blank; containing nothing.
考试时，他交了一张白卷，什么也没写
During the exam, he handed in a blank test paper, writing nothing.
without result, to no avail, in vain
我们忙了半天，结果白费力气了。
We were busy for a long time, but it was all a waste of effort.
without paying or making an effort; for free; in vain
白拿别人的东西不好。
It's not good to take things from others for free.
To make a confession or self-declaration, often revealing one's thoughts or past actions.
他终于鼓起勇气，向大家坦白了自己的过去。
He finally mustered the courage to confess his past to everyone.
Referring to vernacular language, often contrasted with classical Chinese.
这篇文章是用白话文写的，容易理解。
This article is written in vernacular Chinese, making it easy to understand.
To declare or announce publicly; to make a public statement or notice.
他登报告白，希望寻回失散多年的亲人。
He published a public notice in the newspaper, hoping to find his long-lost relatives.
Associated with funerals or mourning, especially in the context of 'red and white events' (weddings and funerals), where 'white' refers to funerals or funeral arrangements.
他们家最近刚操办完一场白事。
Their family recently organized a funeral.
A character that is incorrectly written or pronounced, often referring to a typo or a mispronunciation.
他经常写白字，所以需要多练习汉字。
He often writes incorrect characters, so he needs to practice Chinese characters more.
Referring to forces or ideas perceived as reactionary or opposing a dominant movement, often carrying a negative connotation.
那些白色的旧思想，最终被时代洪流所淘汰。
Those old 'white' ideas were eventually eliminated by the torrent of time.
Refers to the Bai ethnic group in China, mainly found in Yunnan province, and related cultural forms like Bai opera.
白族歌舞很受游客欢迎
Bai ethnic songs and dances are very popular with tourists.