Question regarding the endings of two colour adjectives

Ulrike H.B2Kwiziq community member

Why do you say 'Il a des yeux bleu clair' but 'la tenue est bleu marine', and not bleu marin?

Asked 4 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Bleu marine = navy blue.

It doesn't change, it's an invariable expression. The word marine is a noun, in this instance.

Like14 years ago

Mike H.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

So, bleu is a color and marin is a color. Shouldn't they both be invariable?

Like03 years ago

Ulrike H.B2Kwiziq community member

If marine is regarded as a noun here, I understand now, 'bleu marine' stays always the same as a name for the colour, like navy blue.

Like03 years ago

Why do you say 'Il a des yeux bleu clair' but 'la tenue est bleu marine', and not bleu marin?

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