Why vif and not vive?

Question

In “Avec sa nouvelle couche de peinture rouge vif, la petite 2CV paraissait comme neuve”, why is “vif” used instead of “vive” when “peinture” is nf? Thanks, Brian

Accepted Answer

Hi Brian, 
The adjective 'vif' agrees with 'rouge' and not 'peinture'.
rouge vif = bright red

Answer

Brian, you might want to look at these links.

Compound colour descriptions’, do not ‘agree/accord’ with the qualified noun.

The colour description takes the default, ‘invariable form’, which is the same as the masculine singular form. It would equally be ‘une peinture vert vif’ or ‘vert foncé’ for example.

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

https://www.francaisfacile.com/exercices/exercice-francais-2/exercice-francais-110219.php

https://www.francaisfacile.com/exercices/exercice-francais-2/exercice-francais-8853.php

Answer

Thanks Maarten, now that I’ve done a little more French, this rule seems especially strange & interesting!

From the link:

Il a les yeux bleus, les yeux bleu clair.

Tu as une jupe blanche? Oui, et une robe noir et blanc.

C'était une voiture verte. Oui, une voiture vert foncé.