Colors are a great way to start learning a new language. They are simple, useful, and used in everyday life. In French, colors play a big role in descriptions, conversations, and even culture. One important color to know is “white.” You might use it to describe clothing, weather, or even an object around you.
Learning how to say “white” in French will help you in many situations. It’s also an easy way to start understanding how French words and pronunciations work. This guide will teach you how to say “white” in French, explore its variations, and practice using it in sentences. Let’s dive in!
Ways to Say “White” in French
The word “white” in French is commonly used to describe colors of objects, clothing, and even food. In this section, we will explore different ways to express “white” in French. Each word has its own context and usage, helping you build a better understanding of the language.
1. Blanc
Pronunciation: blahnk
Meaning: White (masculine).
In a Sentence:
- Le mur est blanc. (The wall is white.)
- Je voudrais une chemise blanche. (I would like a white shirt.)
2. Blanche
Pronunciation: blahnsh
Meaning: White (feminine).
In a Sentence:
- La robe blanche est jolie. (The white dress is pretty.)
- Nous avons une maison blanche. (We have a white house.)
3. Blanchâtre
Pronunciation: blahn-shah-truh
Meaning: Whitish or off-white.
In a Sentence:
- La lumière est blanchâtre ce matin. (The light is whitish this morning.)
- Ses cheveux sont devenus blanchâtres avec l’âge. (His hair has become whitish with age.)
4. Blanc pur
Pronunciation: blahnk pyur
Meaning: Pure white.
In a Sentence:
- La neige est blanc pur en hiver. (The snow is pure white in winter.)
- Le papier blanc pur est parfait pour l’impression. (The pure white paper is perfect for printing.)
5. Blanc cassé
Pronunciation: blahnk kah-say
Meaning: Off-white or broken white.
In a Sentence:
- Les rideaux sont blanc cassé. (The curtains are off-white.)
- J’aime les meubles en blanc cassé. (I like off-white furniture.)
6. Blanc éclatant
Pronunciation: blahnk eh-klah-tahn
Meaning: Bright white.
In a Sentence:
- La lumière blanche éclatante est aveuglante. (The bright white light is blinding.)
- Ses dents sont blanc éclatant après le traitement. (Her teeth are bright white after the treatment.)
7. Albâtre
Pronunciation: al-bah-truh
Meaning: Alabaster or white like alabaster.
In a Sentence:
- Sa peau est douce comme de l’albâtre. (Her skin is soft like alabaster.)
- La sculpture est faite d’albâtre blanc. (The sculpture is made of white alabaster.)
8. Ivoire
Pronunciation: ee-vwahr
Meaning: Ivory (a soft white color).
In a Sentence:
- La robe ivoire est très élégante. (The ivory dress is very elegant.)
- Ses rideaux sont d’un blanc ivoire. (Her curtains are ivory white.)
9. Blanchi
Pronunciation: blahn-shee
Meaning: Whitened or bleached.
In a Sentence:
- Le linge a été blanchi au soleil. (The laundry was whitened in the sun.)
- Ce tissu semble blanchi par le temps. (This fabric seems whitened by time.)
10. Blanc neige
Pronunciation: blahnk nej
Meaning: Snow white.
In a Sentence:
- Le paysage est blanc neige après la tempête. (The landscape is snow white after the storm.)
- La couverture est blanc neige. (The blanket is snow white.)
11. Blanc crème
Pronunciation: blahnk krehm
Meaning: Cream white.
In a Sentence:
- La robe de mariée est blanc crème. (The wedding dress is cream white.)
- Cette peinture est d’un blanc crème apaisant. (This paint is a soothing cream white.)
12. Argenté
Pronunciation: ar-zhahn-tay
Meaning: Silvery white.
In a Sentence:
- La lune est argentée dans le ciel nocturne. (The moon is silvery white in the night sky.)
- Ses cheveux ont un éclat argenté. (Her hair has a silvery white shine.)
13. Chaux
Pronunciation: shoh
Meaning: Lime white (chalky white).
In a Sentence:
- Les murs ont été peints à la chaux. (The walls were painted with lime white.)
- Cette vieille maison a une façade blanche à la chaux. (This old house has a lime white facade.)
14. Blanc laiteux
Pronunciation: blahnk lay-tuh
Meaning: Milky white.
In a Sentence:
- L’eau de la cascade était d’un blanc laiteux. (The waterfall’s water was milky white.)
- Le verre a une teinte blanche laiteuse. (The glass has a milky white hue.)
15. Blanc cérusé
Pronunciation: blahnk say-roo-zay
Meaning: Cerused white (a type of distressed white finish).
In a Sentence:
- Les meubles en blanc cérusé sont très populaires. (The cerused white furniture is very popular.)
- Cette porte a une finition en blanc cérusé. (This door has a cerused white finish.)
16. Blanc pâle
Pronunciation: blahnk pahl
Meaning: Pale white.
In a Sentence:
- La lumière blanche pâle crée une ambiance douce. (The pale white light creates a soft atmosphere.)
- Sa chemise est d’un blanc pâle. (His shirt is pale white.)
17. Blanc crèmeux
Pronunciation: blahnk kreh-muh
Meaning: Creamy white.
In a Sentence:
- Le gâteau est décoré d’un glaçage blanc crémeux. (The cake is decorated with creamy white frosting.)
- Ses murs sont d’un blanc crémeux apaisant. (Her walls are a soothing creamy white.)
18. Nacré
Pronunciation: nah-kray
Meaning: Pearly white.
In a Sentence:
- La perle est d’un blanc nacré. (The pearl is pearly white.)
- Le vernis à ongles est d’un blanc nacré brillant. (The nail polish is a shiny pearly white.)
19. Blanc brillant
Pronunciation: blahnk bree-yahn
Meaning: Glossy white.
In a Sentence:
- Cette voiture est peinte en blanc brillant. (This car is painted in glossy white.)
- Le carreau de la salle de bain est blanc brillant. (The bathroom tile is glossy white.)
20. Blanc naturel
Pronunciation: blahnk nah-tyoo-rel
Meaning: Natural white.
In a Sentence:
- Le tissu est fabriqué dans un blanc naturel. (The fabric is made in natural white.)
- La laine est d’un blanc naturel. (The wool is natural white.)
21. Blanc mat
Pronunciation: blahnk maht
Meaning: Matte white.
In a Sentence:
- Le plafond est peint en blanc mat. (The ceiling is painted in matte white.)
- Ce vase est d’un blanc mat élégant. (This vase is an elegant matte white.)
22. Blanc nacré
Pronunciation: blahnk nah-kray
Meaning: Pearl white.
In a Sentence:
- La voiture a une peinture blanc nacré. (The car has a pearl white paint.)
- La lampe est d’un blanc nacré lumineux. (The lamp is a bright pearl white.)
23. Albino
Pronunciation: al-bee-no
Meaning: Albinistic white (often used for animals).
In a Sentence:
- Ce lapin albino a des yeux rouges. (This albino rabbit has red eyes.)
- L’oiseau albino est rare. (The albino bird is rare.)
24. Blanc translucide
Pronunciation: blahnk trans-loo-seed
Meaning: Translucent white.
In a Sentence:
- La pierre est d’un blanc translucide. (The stone is translucent white.)
- Cette feuille a une texture blanche translucide. (This sheet has a translucent white texture.)
25. Blanc antique
Pronunciation: blahnk ahn-teek
Meaning: Antique white.
In a Sentence:
- Le miroir est encadré en blanc antique. (The mirror is framed in antique white.)
- Cette table est peinte en blanc antique. (This table is painted in antique white.)
26. Blanc nacré irisé
Pronunciation: blahnk nah-kray ee-ree-zay
Meaning: Iridescent pearly white.
In a Sentence:
- La carapace du coquillage est blanc nacré irisé. (The shell’s surface is iridescent pearly white.)
- Ses boucles d’oreilles brillent d’un blanc nacré irisé. (Her earrings shine with iridescent pearly white.)
27. Blanc lunaire
Pronunciation: blahnk loo-nair
Meaning: Moon white.
In a Sentence:
- La lumière blanc lunaire illumine la nuit. (The moon white light illuminates the night.)
- Le tissu de sa robe était d’un blanc lunaire. (The fabric of her dress was moon white.)
28. Blanc poudré
Pronunciation: blahnk poo-dray
Meaning: Powdery white.
In a Sentence:
- Le plafond est d’un blanc poudré délicat. (The ceiling is a delicate powdery white.)
- Les fleurs artificielles ont été teintées d’un blanc poudré. (The artificial flowers were tinted with powdery white.)
Other Ways to Say “White” in French
Below are some alternative expressions for “white” in French, along with their pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences. These phrases are not only useful for variety but also for describing different shades or uses of white in everyday contexts.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Blanc ivoire | blahnk ee-vwahr | Ivory white | La nappe est d’un blanc ivoire. (The tablecloth is ivory white.) |
| Blanc doux | blahnk doo | Soft white | La lampe émet une lumière blanc doux. (The lamp emits a soft white light.) |
| Blanc argenté | blahnk ar-zhahn-tay | Silvery white | Les couverts sont d’un blanc argenté. (The cutlery is silvery white.) |
| Blanc pastel | blahnk pah-stel | Pastel white | La peinture de la chambre est d’un blanc pastel. (The room paint is pastel white.) |
| Blanc givré | blahnk zhee-vray | Frosty white | Les vitres sont couvertes d’un blanc givré. (The windows are covered in frosty white.) |
| Blanc nacré doux | blahnk nah-kray doo | Soft pearly white | Sa robe est d’un blanc nacré doux. (Her dress is a soft pearly white.) |
| Blanc poli | blahnk poh-lee | Polished white | Le marbre est d’un blanc poli. (The marble is polished white.) |
| Blanc satiné | blahnk sah-tee-nay | Satin white | Le rideau est d’un blanc satiné. (The curtain is satin white.) |
| Blanc glacé | blahnk glah-say | Icy white | Le sommet de la montagne est d’un blanc glacé. (The mountain peak is icy white.) |
| Blanc crayeux | blahnk krah-yuh | Chalky white | Les murs sont peints en blanc crayeux. (The walls are painted in chalky white.) |
| Blanc poussiéreux | blahnk poo-see-ay-ruh | Dusty white | Ce vieux livre est couvert d’un blanc poussiéreux. (This old book is covered in dusty white.) |
| Blanc perlé | blahnk pair-lay | Pearl-like white | Les boutons sont d’un blanc perlé. (The buttons are pearl-like white.) |
Responses to “White” in French
When someone describes or asks about something using the color “white” in French, it’s important to know how to respond appropriately. These responses can show agreement, provide clarification, or even offer a compliment. Below are some common responses to the color “white.”
1. Oui, c’est blanc.
Pronunciation: wee, say blahnk
Meaning: Yes, it’s white.
In a Sentence:
- Est-ce que ce mur est blanc ? Oui, c’est blanc. (Is this wall white? Yes, it’s white.)
- Ta chemise est de quelle couleur ? Oui, c’est blanc. (What color is your shirt? Yes, it’s white.)
2. C’est une belle couleur blanche.
Pronunciation: say tune bell koo-luhr blahnsh
Meaning: It’s a beautiful white color.
In a Sentence:
- Ce vase est magnifique. C’est une belle couleur blanche. (This vase is beautiful. It’s a beautiful white color.)
- Le paysage enneigé ? C’est une belle couleur blanche. (The snowy landscape? It’s a beautiful white color.)
3. Non, c’est plus ivoire.
Pronunciation: nohn, say ploo ee-vwahr
Meaning: No, it’s more ivory.
In a Sentence:
- Tu dirais que cette peinture est blanche ? Non, c’est plus ivoire. (Would you say this paint is white? No, it’s more ivory.)
- Cette nappe est blanche ? Non, c’est plus ivoire. (Is this tablecloth white? No, it’s more ivory.)
4. Oui, c’est éclatant !
Pronunciation: wee, say eh-klah-tahn
Meaning: Yes, it’s dazzling!
In a Sentence:
- Regarde la neige au soleil ! Oui, c’est éclatant ! (Look at the snow in the sun! Yes, it’s dazzling!)
- Cette lumière est-elle blanche ? Oui, c’est éclatant ! (Is this light white? Yes, it’s dazzling!)
5. Ça ressemble à du blanc pur.
Pronunciation: sah ruh-sahm-bluh ah dyoo blahnk pyur
Meaning: It looks like pure white.
In a Sentence:
- Cette peinture est-elle blanche ? Ça ressemble à du blanc pur. (Is this paint white? It looks like pure white.)
- Le tissu, tu penses qu’il est blanc ? Ça ressemble à du blanc pur. (The fabric, do you think it’s white? It looks like pure white.)
6. C’est un peu grisâtre.
Pronunciation: say tuh uh-puh gree-zah-truh
Meaning: It’s a bit grayish.
In a Sentence:
- Est-ce que ce papier est blanc ? C’est un peu grisâtre. (Is this paper white? It’s a bit grayish.)
- Ces nuages sont blancs ? C’est un peu grisâtre. (Are these clouds white? It’s a bit grayish.)
7. Oui, c’est une teinte blanche.
Pronunciation: wee, say oon tahnt blahnsh
Meaning: Yes, it’s a shade of white.
In a Sentence:
- Cette peinture est blanche ? Oui, c’est une teinte blanche. (Is this paint white? Yes, it’s a shade of white.)
- La lumière est-elle blanche ? Oui, c’est une teinte blanche. (Is the light white? Yes, it’s a shade of white.)
8. Je dirais que c’est crème.
Pronunciation: juh dee-ray kuh say krehm
Meaning: I would say it’s cream.
In a Sentence:
- Tu trouves que cette nappe est blanche ? Je dirais que c’est crème. (Do you think this tablecloth is white? I would say it’s cream.)
- Ce mur est blanc ? Je dirais que c’est crème. (Is this wall white? I would say it’s cream.)
9. C’est une couleur élégante.
Pronunciation: say oon koo-luhr eh-lay-gahnt
Meaning: It’s an elegant color.
In a Sentence:
- La robe blanche ? C’est une couleur élégante. (The white dress? It’s an elegant color.)
- Le décor tout blanc ? C’est une couleur élégante. (The all-white decor? It’s an elegant color.)
10. Non, c’est plutôt blanchâtre.
Pronunciation: nohn, say ploo-toh blahn-shah-truh
Meaning: No, it’s rather whitish.
In a Sentence:
- Cette lumière est blanche ? Non, c’est plutôt blanchâtre. (Is this light white? No, it’s rather whitish.)
- Ce tissu est blanc ? Non, c’est plutôt blanchâtre. (Is this fabric white? No, it’s rather whitish.)
Exercise to Practice “White” in French
Below is a set of 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises to practice using the word “white” and its variations in French. Each sentence is crafted with real-life situations relatable to learners. After the exercises, you’ll find the answers along with their meanings to help you review.
Fill in the Blanks
- La neige en hiver est _______.
- Cette robe de mariée est d’un _______ cassé.
- Les murs de la galerie sont d’un _______ pur.
- J’ai vu un lapin _______ dans le jardin.
- Les rideaux dans la chambre sont _______ ivoire.
- La lumière dans cette pièce est _______ éclatante.
- La nappe sur la table est d’un _______ laiteux.
- Les nuages ce matin ont une teinte _______ blanchâtre.
- Ce vase en porcelaine est _______ nacré.
- Les fleurs artificielles sont teintes en _______ poudré.
- L’armoire ancienne a une finition en _______ antique.
- Cette chemise semble _______ crème.
Answers
- blanc (The snow in winter is white.)
- blanc (This wedding dress is off-white.)
- blanc (The walls of the gallery are pure white.)
- blanc albino (I saw a white rabbit in the garden.)
- blanc ivoire (The curtains in the bedroom are ivory white.)
- blanc éclatant (The light in this room is bright white.)
- blanc laiteux (The tablecloth on the table is milky white.)
- blanc blanchâtre (The clouds this morning have a whitish hue.)
- blanc nacré (This porcelain vase is pearly white.)
- blanc poudré (The artificial flowers are tinted in powdery white.)
- blanc antique (The antique cabinet has an antique white finish.)
- blanc crème (This shirt looks creamy white.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “white” in French opens the door to describing colors, objects, and scenes in a new language. Whether it’s the simple “blanc” or more specific variations like “blanc cassé” or “blanc nacré,” each word has its own use. Practicing these words will help you become more confident in everyday conversations.
Remember to use these phrases in real-life situations, like describing snowy landscapes or choosing colors for clothing and decor. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel to express yourself in French. Keep exploring and learning, and soon talking about colors in French will become second nature!
