Describe an object in French: colour, material and condition
Describe a lost bag, a notebook or a second-hand table in French. Use a practical checklist, illustrated examples and three questions.
In short
Name the object, then add two details that help someone recognise it: C’est un petit sac noir en cuir. Use en for material and avec for a distinctive feature. Finish with its condition or use when that matters.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
Which object are you looking for?
Four objects worth describing
Find:
| Detail | French model | What it tells someone |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | C’est un carnet. | The kind of object |
| Size and colour | Il est petit et bleu. | Its appearance |
| Material | La couverture est en carton. | What the cover is made of |
| Feature | Il a un élastique blanc. | A detail that distinguishes it |
| Condition | Il est un peu abîmé. | Its present condition |
| Use | Je l’utilise pour noter mes rendez-vous. | What you use it for |
Choose the details for the situation. At lost property, a colour and a white elastic strap help the receptionist pick out your notebook. For a table you want to buy, its condition and dimensions matter more. Joli means pretty; en bon état says the object is in good condition.
- Vous
Bonjour, j’ai perdu mon sac.
Hello, I’ve lost my bag.
- Réceptionniste
Il est comment ?
What does it look like?
- Vous
C’est un petit sac noir en cuir, avec une boucle argentée.
It’s a small black leather bag with a silver buckle.
- Réceptionniste
Il y a quelque chose à l’intérieur ?
Is there anything inside?
- Vous
Oui, un carnet bleu et mes clés.
Yes, a blue notebook and my keys.
How do you describe an object in French?
Une petite lampe noire ; deux petits sacs noirs.
A small black lamp; two small black bags.
Here, petite comes before lampe and the colour comes after it. With sacs, both adjectives are masculine plural. Material phrases keep their form: une table en bois, des tables en bois. For more detail, use a second sentence: Elle est légère. Elle est facile à déplacer.