Mandarin Monkey Podcast Lesson 46 - Using 白 Bái - Colour, Clear, For No Reason
Feb 5, 2019
Explore the fascinating meanings of 白 (bái) in Mandarin! Learn how it describes the color white, ample uses in everyday language, and idioms like 真相大白, revealing clarity. Discover how 白 can signify actions done for no reason, with phrases that illustrate wasted effort. The hosts dive into grammar nuances, such as doubling 白 and correct usage in practical situations. Wrap up with engaging examples that make these concepts stick. Perfect for anyone looking to enrich their Mandarin vocabulary!
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Core Meaning: White And Color
- 白 (bái) commonly means the color white and is used for objects like hair and paper.
- It also conveys pale skin and literal color contexts in everyday Mandarin.
Cultural Use: White Envelopes At Funerals
- 白 appears in cultural practices like giving money in a 白包 at funerals in Taiwan.
- Contrastly, 红包 (red envelope) is used for happy occasions like Chinese New Year.
Figurative Use: Clarity And Revelation
- 白 also conveys clarity or revelation in idioms, e.g., 真相大白 means the truth is revealed.
- The phrase literally pairs 大 (big) with 白 to signal something becomes clear.