Compound colour names and colour names derived from things are invariable (French Colour Adjectives)

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE

Last updated: 2022-10-26

There are three cases of colour adjectives that never agree nor change.

Learn when colour adjectives stay the same in French

When the colour is described by a phrase containing two or more words (black and white, dark green, light blue...)

Il a les yeux bleus, les yeux bleu clair.He has blue eyes, light blue eyes.

Tu as une jupe blanche?
- Oui, et une robe noir et blanc.Do you have a white skirt?
- Yes, and a black and white dress.

C'était une voiture verte.
- Oui, une voiture vert foncé.It was a green car.
- Yes, a dark green car.

Pour le 14 juillet, les gens portent des cocardes bleu blanc rouge.For Bastille Day, people wear blue-white-red rosettes.

When the colour actually derives from a noun referring to a real thing like a fruit, material, animal (orange, chestnut)

J'ai une jupe orange et des boucles d'oreille orange.I have an orange skirt and orange earrings.

J'ai les yeux marron.I have brown [chestnut] eyes.

Je ne trouve plus mes chaussettes framboise !I can't find my raspberry socks!

Elles portaient des robes ivoire.They wore ivory dresses.

J'adore ses mocassins taupe.I love his taupe ("mole" in French) moccasins.

ATTENTION:

Here are the only exceptions to this rule, meaning that they do need agreement:
- écarlate (scarlet)
- fauve (fawn/tan)
- incarnat (rosy pink)
- mauve (mauve)
- pourpre (crimson)
- rose (pink) of course !

Blanche-Neige avait les lèvres écarlates et la peau blanche comme la neige.Snow White had scarlet lips and skin as white as snow.

Ce joli vase avait des reflets mauves.This pretty vase had mauve highlights.

Elles ont toujours préféré les tons fauves.They always favoured tan shades.

When you have the "combo" colour + noun used as a qualifier

Je lui ai acheté de petits chaussons bleu layette.I bought him little baby blue booties.

Mes chaussettes rose bonbon me portent toujours bonheur !My candy pink socks always bring me luck!

J'adore tes assiettes bleu canard !I love your peacock blue plates!

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Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Adjectif

Examples and resources

Elle n'est pas fan de ses collants jaune paille.She's not a fan of her straw-coloured tights.

Ces lunettes bleu marine te vont à ravir !These navy blue glasses suit you beautifully!