also: しらつち
noun
Refers to white clay or kaolin, used in ceramics, paper, and as a pigment. Also used for mortar or plaster in construction contexts.
See also: カオリン
この陶器は白土から作られている。
This pottery is made from white clay.
壁の補修に白土を使った。
We used mortar to repair the wall.
カオリン is the loanword for kaolin, often used in technical or industrial contexts, while 白土 is the native Japanese term.
Compound of 白 (white) and 土 (earth, soil). The reading はくど is the on'yomi, while しらつち is a kun'yomi reading. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.