It doesn't really matter whether or not you have a good memory. You can learn to say colors in French with a little practice.
Steps
Step 1. Learn your colors:
- Red / Rouge
- Pink / Rose
- Orange / Orange
- Yellow / Jaune
- Green / Vert
- Blue / Bleu
- Purple / Violet
- Gray / gray
- Black / Noir
- White / Blanc
- Brown / Brun or Brown
Step 2. Learn the basic rules of French pronunciation
The "r" is pronounced from the back of the mouth, near the throat (think of a softer version of the Hebrew "ch"). The "a" has the sound of a short "o". In this article, “j” is a sound between “j” and “sh”. Softer than “j”, but not as smooth as “sh”.
Step 3. Remember the following when pronouncing the colors individually:
- Red / Rouge: “rouge” is pronounced like the makeup type (if it's not clear, it's something like “rush”). The only difference is that the "r" comes softly from the back of the mouth.
- Rosado / Rose: “rose” is pronounced like in English, but again with the French “r”.
- Naranja / Orange: In English you emphasize the first syllable, but in French you will have to emphasize the second syllable and make sure that the “a” sounds like a short “o”. Pronounce it as "oronsh."
- Yellow / Jaune: Think of the French name Jean, a form of English John. Say “Jean” but pronounce the short “o” as if it were the word “oh”.
- Green / Vert: the t is silent. It is pronounced "veir."
- Azul / Bleu: pronounced “blu”.
- Purple / Violet: “violei”.
- Gray / Gray: do not pronounce the final s and… there you have it!
- Black / Noir: Have you ever heard of a movie "noir", a genre of North American cinema from a few decades ago? Noir is pronounced "noar."
- White / Blanc: pronounced “blonc”.