Ma couleur préférée
The English phrase "my favourite colour" is translated into French as Ma couleur préférée.
This phrase is used to identify the specific colour that a person likes more than any other.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Ma couleur préférée means "my colour preferred". In French, the adjective préférée follows the noun couleur, which is the opposite of the English pattern where the adjective comes before the noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because couleur is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine possessive adjective ma instead of the masculine mon. Additionally, when you use this phrase to state a specific colour as your favourite, you must use a definite article (such as le, la or les) before the name of the colour. For example, you would say Ma couleur préférée est le bleu.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the masculine form Mon couleur préférée. Because couleur is feminine, you must use ma.
Did you know?
- In French, if a colour is modified by another adjective, such as bleu clair for 'light blue', the word stops behaving like a colour and becomes an invariable adjective that never changes for gender or number.
- In French, many colour names are actually derived from nouns, such as orange from the fruit or rose from the flower. This is why you often see them treated as masculine nouns in other grammatical contexts.
- In old French literature, a person's couleur did not always refer to a pigment, but could instead describe their complexion or even their emotional state, such as a blush.
Examples in context
- C'est ma couleur préférée.This is my favourite colour.This sentence shows how to identify a specific colour as your favourite using Ma couleur préférée.Tatoeba #7955668 by Aiji, translation #10639349 by sundown
- Le bleu est ma couleur préférée.Blue is my favourite colour.This sentence uses a specific colour name to state it is your favourite using Ma couleur préférée.Tatoeba #3640642 by sacredceltic, translation #5308259 by rhys_mcg
- Ma couleur préférée est le bleu.My favourite colour is blue.This sentence demonstrates the correct word order when stating your favourite colour using Ma couleur préférée.Tatoeba #5402332 by Aiji, translation #3945076 by sundown
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are choosing colors for a new room.
- NathanQuelle est ta couleur préférée ?What is your favourite colour?
- EmmaMa couleur préférée est le vert.My favourite colour is green.
- NathanC'est une très jolie couleur.It is a very pretty colour.
- EmmaMerci, Nathan !Thank you, Nathan!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
