Compound colour names and colour names derived from things are invariable

2021-07-05

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

1- 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.

2- When the colour actually derives from 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.

3- And then you have the "combo" colour + real thing 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!

See also regular colour adjectives: Colour descriptions change according to gender and number (adjectives)

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Braimap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Adjectif

Examples and resources