rose noire
The English phrase "black rose" is translated into French as rose noire.
This phrase refers to a rose that is black in color.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine indefinite article une is used because rose is a feminine noun, so "a black rose" is une rose noire. The adjective noire (black) follows the noun rose (rose) in gender and number. To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take an 's', resulting in roses noires.
Did you know?
- In French, the word rose is a linguistic 'shape-shifter' that refers to both a flower and the color pink. This means that if you were describing a pink rose, you would say une rose rose, which sounds quite repetitive to native speakers.
- In traditional French heraldry, the color black is called sable, so a 'black rose' in a coat of arms would be described using a different term than noire.
- The French word rose was borrowed from the Latin rosa, whereas the expected natural evolution of the word would have been reuse.
Examples in context
- J'ai trouvé une rose noire dans le jardin.I found a black rose in the garden.
- Cette rose noire est très belle.This black rose is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are looking at flowers in a shop.
- ChloéRegarde cette rose noire, Gabriel !Look at this black rose, Gabriel!
- GabrielElle est vraiment élégante.It is truly elegant.
- ChloéEst-ce que tu l'aimes ?Do you like it?
- GabrielOui, elle est magnifique.Yes, it is magnificent.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rose, CC BY-SA 4.0.
