French · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Brown" in French: marron
marron
Brown in French is often marron for colors: des chaussures marron, des yeux marron. Marron stays invariable as a color. Brun / brune is more for hair and some classic uses.
Shoe shopping
Je préfère les baskets marron.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce marron
Say it
ma-ROHN
/ma.ʁɔ̃/
Marron: ma-ROHN with nasal on. Soft double r. Same for plural.
"Brown" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| marron | brown Default color (often invariable). | Default color (often invariable). |
| brun / brune | brown (hair) Hair color. | Hair color. |
| marron clair | light brown Shade. | Shade. |
| en marron | in brown Wearing brown. | Wearing brown. |
How to use marron in real life
- 1Shoe shopping
Je préfère les baskets marron.
I prefer the brown sneakers.
Marron after the noun.
- 2Describing eyes
Il a les yeux marron très foncés.
He has very dark brown eyes.
Yeux marron.
- 3Furniture
Le canapé marron cache mieux les taches.
The brown sofa hides stains better.
Canapé marron.
Mistakes English speakers make with marron
Incorrect: Une jupe marronne (usually avoided).
Correct: Une jupe marron.
As a color, marron is typically invariable.
Incorrect: Des cheveux marron (possible) vs hair habit.
Correct: Des cheveux bruns is common for hair; marron works for objects.
Brun/brune is the classic hair pair; marron is fine for things.
Good to know
French speakers debate marron agreement; learners are safe keeping color marron invariable. Chestnuts are also called marrons — context clears food vs color.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Picking a belt
ChatPal
Noir ou marron avec ce pantalon ?
Black or brown with these pants?
You
Marron. Ça adoucit la tenue.
Brown. It softens the look.
ChatPal
OK. Cette ceinture marron est bien.
OK. This brown belt is good.
You
Je la prends.
I'll take it.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Brown" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Brown" in French
How do you say brown in French?
Marron (color); brun/brune often for hair.
Does marron agree?
As a color after the noun, usually no: des sacs marron.
Marron or brun?
Marron for many objects; brun/brune classic for hair.
How do you pronounce marron?
ma-ROHN.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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