rouge
/ʁuʒ/
rouge is the French word for the color red.
rouge is used to describe the color red. It can also refer to rouge, the cosmetic product used on the skin. Note that while rouge can refer to makeup generally, the specific term for lipstick is rouge à lèvres.
Meaning: color (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective, rouge is invariable in gender, meaning it remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. However, it does change in number. It takes an s in the plural form to agree with the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁuʒ/
Did you know?
- The phrase être dans le rouge is used to describe being in debt or having a negative bank balance.
- A fil rouge refers to a common theme or a guiding thread that connects different parts of a story or argument.
- The word rouge shares the same root as the English word 'ruby', as both trace back to the Latin 'rubeus'.
Examples in context
- Les Khmers Rouges ont souvent utilisé des paraboles pour justifier leurs actions contradictoires.The Khmer Rouge often used parables to justify their contradictory actions.This sentence shows the use of rouge in a political context.Tatoeba #9452402 by Micsmithel, translation #4796255 by Ekselans
- Les expressions et les sourires changent comme ça par une simple application de rouge à lèvre et de poudre.Expressions and smiles change like that just from applying rouge and lipstick.This sentence demonstrates the use of rouge in the context of makeup.Tatoeba #330897 by hortusdei, translation #329626 by fcbond
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are looking at a display of shirts in a shop.
- LucasEst-ce que tu aimes ce pull rouge ?Do you like this red sweater?
- ManonOui, il est très beau, Lucas.Yes, it is very beautiful, Lucas.
- LucasTu préfères quel rouge pour moi ?Which red do you prefer for me?
- ManonCelui-ci te va très bien.This one suits you very well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rouge, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rouge, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
