French Words for Common Colors
In this lesson you'll learn the French words for common colors. Colors can be either nouns or adjectives. When used as adjectives, they require the same grammatical endings as other adjectives. See the Adjectives lesson to learn how to use adjectives in French.
Online flashcards and a quiz are included at the end of the lesson to help you learn the French words for colors.
Les Couleurs (Colors)
Video
Here is a video to help you learn the French words for common colors. First the color is shown, then the French word for the color is shown, and finally the French word for the color is spoken. When the color is shown, try to speak the French word for the color.
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Grammar
Many French words for colors add grammatical endings to match the gender and number of the noun they describe. However, some French words for colors are invariable (the same regardless of the noun they describe). These words for colors are mostly derived from nouns such as orange.
The following table shows the grammatical endings of some common French words for colors.
Masculine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Singular | Feminine Plural | English |
---|---|---|---|---|
blanc | blancs | blanche | blanches | white |
argent | argent | argent | argent | silver |
bleu | bleus | bleue | bleues | blue |
bleu foncé | bleu foncés | bleu foncée | bleu foncées | dark blue |
brique | brique | brique | brique | brick-red |
gris | gris | grise | grises | grey |
jaune | jaunes | jaune | jaunes | yellow |
marron | marron | marron | marron | brown |
olive | olive | olive | olive | olive-green |
noir | noirs | noire | noires | black |
orange | orange | orange | orange | orange |
rouge | rouges | rouge | rouges | red |
rose | rose | rose | roses | pink |
sépia | sépia | sépia | sépia | sepia |
vert | verts | verte | vertes | green |
vert clair | vert clairs | vert claire | vert claires | light green |
violet | violets | violette | violettes | purple |
Examples
la fleur blanche | the white flower |
les fleurs blanches | the white flowers |
le chat noir | the black cat |
les chats noirs | the black cats |
Flashcards
Here are some flashcards to help you learn the French words for common colors.
Practice
Write out each sentence using the French word for the color in parentheses.
Le ciel est ___. (blue) | |
Le chien est ___. (black) | |
La maison est ___. (green) | |
La chemise est ___. (red) | |
Le chat est ___. (grey) | |
La veste est ___. (brown) | |
La fleur est ___. (pink) |
Quiz
Here is an online quiz to help you learn the French words for common colors. Press the Start button to begin.