Translation guide
In Japanese, describing grey hair involves different words for the color itself, the process of going grey, and the hair strands. The most common term is 白髪 (しらが), literally 'white hair', which is the standard way to refer to grey hair.
Referring to grey or white hair on a person's head, either a few strands or a full head of grey hair.
The standard word for grey/white hair. Despite the kanji meaning 'white', it is used for grey hair as well. Can refer to a single strand or a full head of grey hair.
最近、白髪が増えてきた。
I've been getting more grey hair lately.
彼は白髪交じりの髪をしている。
He has hair streaked with grey.
Literally 'white hair'. Used descriptively, often for completely white hair rather than mixed grey.
おばあちゃんは白い髪をしている。
My grandmother has white hair.
Loanword from English. Used in fashion or hair coloring contexts, not common in everyday speech.
グレーヘアがトレンドになっている。
Grey hair is becoming a trend.
Describing the process of hair turning grey or white.
To become grey-haired. A natural way to say hair is turning grey.
ストレスで白髪になった。
I got grey hair from stress.
Literally 'grey hair grows'. Used when new grey hairs appear.
若いのに白髪が生えてきた。
Even though I'm young, I'm starting to get grey hairs.
Hair turns white/grey. More descriptive and less common than 白髪になる.
年を取ると髪が白くなる。
As you get older, your hair turns grey.
Referring to one strand of grey hair.
One strand of grey hair. The counter 本 is used for long, thin objects.
白髪を一本見つけた。
I found a grey hair.
Describing someone who has grey hair.
Pattern meaning 'grey-haired [person]'. 白髪の modifies the noun.
白髪の男性が立っていた。
A grey-haired man was standing there.
A head of grey hair; a grey-haired person. Slightly colloquial.
彼はもう白髪頭だ。
He's already got a full head of grey hair.
The literal translation 灰色の髪 (はいいろのかみ, 'ash-colored hair') is not natural for human grey hair. It sounds like artificially colored grey hair or the color of an object. Use 白髪 instead.
白髪 (しらが) is the specific term for age-related or natural grey/white hair. 白い髪 (しろいかみ) simply means 'white hair' and can refer to dyed hair, anime characters, etc. For natural grey hair, 白髪 is preferred.
白髪が生えてきた。
I'm starting to get grey hair.
彼女はきれいな白髪をしている。
She has beautiful grey hair.