also: びゃくえ · びゃくい · はくえ · しろきぬ · しろぎぬ
noun
white clothes; white robe
General term for white garments; can refer to any white clothing or a white robe.
彼女は白衣を着て、まるで天使のようだった。
She wore white clothes and looked just like an angel.
noun
white coat; lab coat;
Only with reading はくい
Specifically the white coat or gown worn by doctors, scientists, pharmacists, and other professionals. Most commonly read はくい.
医者は白衣を着て診察室に入った。
The doctor put on a white coat and entered the examination room.
研究室では白衣を着用してください。
Please wear a lab coat in the laboratory.
noun
commoner without rank (in ancient China)
Only with reading はくい / はくえ
Historical term referring to a commoner without official rank in ancient China. Read はくい or はくえ.
古代中国では、白衣は官位を持たない庶民を指した。
In ancient China, 白衣 referred to commoners without official rank.
noun
Only with reading びゃくえ / はくえ / しろきぬ / しろぎぬ
In Buddhist contexts, a layperson as opposed to a monk or priest. Read びゃくえ, はくえ, しろきぬ, or しろぎぬ. The antonym is 緇衣 (しえ), meaning a black-robed priest.
Antonyms: 緇衣 (しえ)
白衣の信者が寺に集まった。
Lay believers gathered at the temple.