bleu sarcelle
The English phrase "teal" is translated into French as bleu sarcelle. Wiktionary also lists bleu canard and sarcelle.
Meaning: colour (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bleu sarcelle | ||
| bleu canard | /blø ka.naʁ/ | |
| sarcelle | /saʁ.sɛl/ | masculine |
In French, the color teal can be expressed using the noun phrases bleu sarcelle or bleu canard or the masculine noun sarcelle. These forms can function as both nouns to name the color and as adjectives to describe an object.
What does it mean word for word?
The word sarcelle literally refers to the teal duck, which is the source of the color name.
Which one should you use?
While bleu sarcelle is a direct translation of "teal", the term bleu canard is a very common idiomatic way to describe a similar deep, greenish-blue shade in French.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective, bleu sarcelle is invariable in gender and number because it is a compound color name containing a noun.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use bleu marine to refer to teal, as this term means "navy blue".
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Les murs de la pièce sont d'un bleu-vert apaisant.The walls of the room are a calming teal.
- J'adore le vert d'eau sur ton t-shirt, c'est très joli !I love the teal on your t-shirt, it's very pretty!
- J'adore ce bleu sarcelle sur ton sac.I love this teal on your bag.
- Le mur est peint en bleu sarcelle.The wall is painted teal.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are looking at paint samples in a store.
- EmmaTu penses que ce bleu sarcelle est joli ?Do you think this teal is pretty?
- NathanOui, c'est une très belle couleur pour ton salon.Yes, it is a very beautiful color for your living room.
- EmmaJe vais prendre ce bleu sarcelle, alors.I will take this teal, then.
- NathanC'est un excellent choix, Emma.It is an excellent choice, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teal” translations and entries bleu canard, sarcelle, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bleu, canard, sarcelle, CC BY-SA 4.0.
