écru
The English word unbleached is translated into French as écru.
In French, the term écru is the standard way to describe unbleached fabrics, paper or textiles, rather than using a literal translation of 'unbleached' like non blanchi.
Meaning: Translations (adj)
Which one should you use?
While blanc refers to a pure, bleached white, écru specifically denotes the off-white, yellowish or brownish tint of natural, unbleached materials.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, écru is invariable in gender and number when used to describe a color or a material state.
Did you know?
- The word écru shares the same root as cru, which is used to describe 'raw' food like sushi cru or 'raw' emotions.
- While English uses 'ecru' mainly for high-end design, French speakers use écru for any basic unbleached textile, from luxury silk to a simple cotton sack.
- The term écru is so specific to textiles that using it to describe other naturally off-white things, like a wall or a car, can sound unusual to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- J'ai acheté du papier non blanchi pour l'imprimante.I bought unbleached paper for the printer.
- Tu devrais utiliser de la farine non blanchie pour cette recette.You should use unbleached flour for this recipe.
- Ces draps sont en coton brut, sans traitement chimique.These sheets are made of unbleached cotton, without chemical treatment.
- J'aime bien la couleur écru de ce pull.I really like the ecru color of this sweater.
- Elle a acheté un rideau en coton écru.She bought an unbleached cotton curtain.
- Le papier est de couleur écru.The paper is an ecru color.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are looking at fabric samples in a boutique.
- GabrielTu préfères ce tissu blanc ou ce tissu écru ?Do you prefer this white fabric or this unbleached fabric?
- EmmaJe préfère l'écru, c'est plus naturel.I prefer the unbleached one, it is more natural.
- GabrielTu as raison, l'écru est très joli.You are right, the ecru color is very pretty.
- EmmaOui, prenons ce modèle pour Gabriel.Yes, let's take this model for Gabriel.
