The word noir is the most common way to say “black” in French, but is it the only one? Not at all! French, like any language, is rich with nuance and variety. Depending on the context, from describing hair color to using slang, there are several other words and phrases you might encounter. Whether you're describing a dark night, a piece of clothing, or just want to expand your vocabulary, knowing these alternatives will make your French sound much more natural. Let's dive into nine different ways to say “black” in French!

1. The Standard 'Black' – Noir/Noire

The most common and standard way to say 'black' in French is with the adjective noir. It's one of the first color words you'll learn and is used in a wide variety of contexts.

Like most French adjectives, noir must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. This is a fundamental rule in French grammar that applies to all colors.

The word changes its form to match the noun it modifies. Here are the four common forms:

noir: Used for masculine singular nouns (e.g., un chapeau noir - a black hat).
noire: Used for feminine singular nouns (e.g., une robe noire - a black dress).
noirs: Used for masculine plural nouns (e.g., des pantalons noirs - black pants).
noires: Used for feminine plural nouns (e.g., des chaussures noires - black shoes).

In French, color adjectives like noir almost always come after the noun. This is a key difference from English, where the adjective typically comes before the noun. For example, you say un chat noir, not un noir chat.

Le noir can also be used as a masculine noun to mean 'the color black' itself. When used this way, it doesn't change its form. For instance, Le noir va avec tout means 'Black goes with everything'.

Beyond the literal color, noir is often used figuratively to mean 'dark,' 'sad,' 'illegal,' or 'pessimistic.' You'll encounter it in expressions like un roman noir (a crime novel), broyer du noir (to be depressed/have dark thoughts), or le marché noir (the black market).

💡 * Le chat noir dort sur le canapé.

Elle a acheté une très belle voiture noire.

Ses yeux noirs sont magnifiques.

J'ai vu deux femmes portant des robes noires identiques.

Le noir est une couleur qui symbolise l'élégance.

The 'dark' or 'gloomy' – Sombre

The 'dark' or 'gloomy' – Sombre

The French adjective sombre is a versatile word that translates to 'dark,' 'gloomy,' or 'somber.' It is used to describe both a physical lack of light and a more figurative, emotional darkness, making it a key vocabulary word for adding nuance.

In its most literal sense, sombre refers to a lack of light or a dark color. You can use it to describe a poorly lit room (une pièce sombre), a cloudy sky (un ciel sombre), or a dark-colored piece of clothing (un vêtement sombre).

Beyond the literal, sombre is frequently used to convey a feeling of gloom, sadness, or seriousness. It can describe a person's mood (une humeur sombre), a piece of news (une nouvelle sombre), or a difficult period in history (une période sombre).

While noir simply means 'black,' sombre carries an added emotional weight of melancholy or foreboding. Similarly, while triste means 'sad,' sombre often implies a deeper, more pervasive gloominess rather than just a fleeting emotion.

Mastering the use of sombre allows you to add a layer of atmospheric and emotional depth to your French, capturing shades of meaning that a more direct translation might miss.

💡 * Le ciel est devenu très sombre avant l'orage.

Il était d'une humeur sombre après avoir reçu la mauvaise nouvelle.

Elle préfère porter des couleurs sombres en hiver.

Le film raconte une histoire sombre et complexe.

The 'raven-black' (for hair) – Noir corbeau

When you want to describe a deep, lustrous black, especially for hair, French offers the beautiful and evocative expression noir corbeau.

Literally, this translates to 'raven black.' The term corbeau means 'raven' or 'crow,' and this imagery is used to evoke the deep, shiny, almost iridescent black of the bird's feathers.

Noir corbeau is almost exclusively used to describe the color of hair. It’s a more poetic and descriptive alternative to simply saying noir (black), implying a rich, healthy, and very dark shade.

As a compound color adjective derived from a noun (corbeau), noir corbeau is invariable. This means it does not change to agree in gender or number with the noun it describes. For example, you would say des cheveux noir corbeau.

While cheveux noirs simply means 'black hair,' cheveux noir corbeau paints a much more vivid picture. It suggests a shade of black that is so deep it might have blue or purple undertones in the light, just like a raven's wing.

💡 * Blanche-Neige avait les cheveux noir corbeau et la peau blanche comme la neige.

J'ai toujours rêvé d'avoir les cheveux noir corbeau.

Ses magnifiques cheveux noir corbeau tombaient sur ses épaules.

C'est une couleur intense, ce n'est pas juste noir, c'est noir corbeau.

The 'ebony' black – Ébène

To describe a deep, lustrous, and rich black, French uses the word ébène. It directly translates to 'ebony', referring to the dense, dark hardwood as well as its characteristic color.

Ébène can be used as a masculine noun (l'ébène - the ebony wood) or as an invariable adjective. When used as a color adjective, it does not change to agree in gender or number with the noun it modifies. For example, des cheveux ébène (ebony hair) and une table ébène (an ebony table).

Using ébène instead of the standard noir (black) adds a layer of sophistication and poetry. It's often used to describe things with a natural sheen and depth, such as hair, eyes, or polished objects, evoking a sense of luxury.

💡 Elle est connue pour ses magnifiques cheveux d'ébène.
Ses yeux d'ébène brillaient dans l'obscurité.
Le cadre du miroir est en ébène véritable.
La panthère noire a une fourrure d'un noir ébène intense.

The 'jet' black (for a deep, shiny black) – Jais

To describe a deep, shiny, and intense black, French uses the word jais, which translates to 'jet'.

Jais is actually a type of gemstone (jet), a black lignite. The color gets its name from this stone, evoking its deep, lustrous quality. This origin gives the color a poetic and precious feel.

You will most often encounter it in the fixed expression noir de jais, which literally means 'black of jet'. It's used to describe something that is a profound, shiny black.

As a compound color adjective derived from a noun, noir de jais is invariable. This means it does not change to agree in gender or number with the noun it describes. For example, des cheveux noir de jais (jet-black hair) or une robe noir de jais (a jet-black dress).

This term is considered more literary or descriptive than the standard word noir. It's perfect for describing things like raven-black hair (cheveux noir de jais) or piercing dark eyes (yeux de jais), adding a touch of elegance.

💡 * Elle a de longs cheveux noir de jais qui tombent sur ses épaules.

Ses yeux de jais brillaient dans la pénombre.

Le cheval était d'un magnifique noir de jais.

J'ai acheté une robe noir de jais pour la soirée.

The 'coal' or 'charcoal' black – Charbon

Literally, charbon means 'coal' or 'charcoal.' It refers to the black, carbon-based material used as fuel. This is its primary and traditional definition.

In modern French slang, le charbon has evolved to mean 'hard work,' 'a tough job,' or 'the grind.' The expression aller au charbon (literally 'to go to the coal') means to go to work, especially a job that is difficult and not very rewarding.

From this slang usage comes the verb charbonner. It means 'to work hard,' 'to hustle,' or 'to grind.' This term is very common in youth and street slang, often describing someone who works tirelessly, sometimes in multiple jobs or illicit activities, to make ends meet.

Using charbon or charbonner implies a sense of struggle and relentless effort. It's not used for a comfortable office job but for labor that is physically or mentally taxing. It carries a connotation of determination and the necessity of the hustle, especially within younger generations and urban culture.

💡 * Lundi matin, il faut retourner au charbon. (Monday morning, it's time to get back to the grind.)

Elle charbonne toute la journée pour nourrir sa famille. (She works hard all day to feed her family.)

J'ai pas le temps de me reposer, c'est le charbon tous les jours. (I don't have time to rest, it's the hustle every day.)

C'est un vrai charbonneur, il ne s'arrête jamais. (He's a real hard worker, he never stops.)

1. The 'obscure' or 'dim' – Obscur/Obscure

The French adjective obscur (masculine) or obscure (feminine) translates to 'obscure,' 'dim,' or 'dark.' It is used to describe something that lacks light, whether literally or figuratively.

As an adjective, obscur/obscure must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. For a masculine noun, you use obscur (e.g., un passage obscur), and for a feminine noun, you use obscure (e.g., une salle obscure). The plural forms are obscurs and obscures.

Beyond its literal meaning of darkness, obscur is frequently used figuratively to mean 'unclear,' 'vague,' 'mysterious,' or 'little-known.' This is very similar to its usage in English, such as describing des raisons obscures (unclear reasons) or un poète obscur (an obscure poet).

💡 * La pièce était si obscure que je ne voyais rien. (The room was so dark that I couldn't see anything.)

Il a quitté son emploi pour des raisons obscures. (He left his job for unclear reasons.)

C'est un artiste obscur, peu de gens connaissent son travail. (He is an obscure artist, few people know his work.)

Le sens de ce poème reste obscur pour moi. (The meaning of this poem remains obscure to me.)

The 'sooty' black – Fuligineux/Fuligineuse

The words fuligineux (masculine) and fuligineuse (feminine) describe a very specific kind of black or dark color. Think of something that is dull, murky, and resembles soot. It's a sophisticated, literary term, equivalent to the English 'fuliginous'.

Derived from the Latin fuligo ('soot'), this adjective is directly related to the French word for soot, la suie. It describes a color that appears stained by smoke or fire, giving it a dirty, matte, and profound darkness.

You won't hear fuligineux in everyday chat. It belongs to the world of literature, art criticism, and scientific description. It's used to paint a vivid picture, often to create a somber, industrial, or mysterious atmosphere.

Like all French adjectives, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. For example, you would say un ciel fuligineux (a sooty sky) for a masculine noun, but une vapeur fuligineuse (a sooty vapor) for a feminine one.

💡 * Le ciel était d'un noir fuligineux avant l'orage. (The sky was a sooty black before the storm.)

Une fumée fuligineuse s'échappait de la cheminée de l'usine. (A sooty smoke escaped from the factory's chimney.)

Le peintre a utilisé des teintes fuligineuses pour représenter la ville industrielle. (The painter used sooty hues to represent the industrial city.)

Le plumage de l'oiseau était d'un gris fuligineux. (The bird's plumage was a sooty gray.)

1. The English Loanword: 'Black'

The English word 'black' has been borrowed into French, but it carries a very specific and often controversial meaning. Unlike many English loanwords, it is not used as a neutral term for the color or to describe a person of color.

In French, the term 'black' is almost exclusively used to refer to a Black person in a pejorative and racist context. It is strongly associated with colonial-era stereotypes and the offensive practice of 'blackface' (le blackface). Consequently, it is considered a derogatory and outdated term.

The correct, neutral, and respectful word to use in French is noir (masculine) or noire (feminine). This applies whether you are describing the color or a person. For instance, you would say un homme noir (a Black man) or une femme noire (a Black woman). This is the standard term used in all contexts.

Due to its strong negative connotations, you should avoid using the English word 'black' to refer to people in French. Always use noir(e) to ensure your language is respectful and accurate. While you might hear 'black' in historical or critical discussions about racism, it is not used in modern, polite conversation.

💡 * Elle a acheté une belle voiture noire. (She bought a beautiful black car.)

Martin Luther King Jr. était un leader important du mouvement des droits civiques pour les Noirs américains. (Martin Luther King Jr. was an important leader of the civil rights movement for Black Americans.)

C'est un film réalisé par une femme noire. (It's a film directed by a Black woman.)

J'ai besoin d'un pantalon noir pour le concert. (I need black pants for the concert.)

Are there other ways to say 'black' in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say 'black' in French, centered around the word noir. But the French language is full of descriptive words for specific shades and contexts, from poetic terms to technical jargon.

You can expand your vocabulary by doing an online search for “synonymes de noir” or by looking up specific shades, like “comment dire jet-black en français.”

When you discover a new word for 'black', always check its context. A word like ébène (ebony) is very different from brou de noix (walnut brown/black). Understanding the nuance is crucial for using these words correctly.

Pay attention as you read French poetry, look at art, or watch French films. Notice how artists and writers describe darkness and the color black—you'll discover a rich and evocative vocabulary.

If you're looking for more synonyms and related concepts, the online dictionary Larousse or Le Robert are fantastic resources. Their thesaurus entries for noir can be very enlightening.

I hope this article has helped you see the many shades of 'black' in French. It seems fitting to end with a quote from the French painter Pierre Soulages, a master of the color: « Le noir a des possibilités insoupçonnées... Le noir a une vie interne secrète. » (Black has unsuspected possibilities... Black has a secret inner life.)

'9 ways to say "black" in French'