un couple
In French, "a couple" is translated as un couple.
The phrase un couple is used to refer to two people who are in a romantic relationship or who are married.
Which one should you use?
While un couple refers to a romantic pair, if you are talking about a pair of identical objects such as socks or shoes, you should use une paire instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun couple is masculine. Consequently, the indefinite article is un and any accompanying adjectives must agree in the masculine form.
Did you know?
- While un couple refers to two people, the French word couple is also used to describe the 'torque' of an engine.
- Unlike English, where 'a couple' can vaguely mean 'a few', un couple in French almost always strictly means exactly two people.
- The word couple shares the same Latin root as the English word 'copulate', coming from cōpula, which means 'a link' or 'a tie'.
Examples in context
- Sont-ils un couple ?Are they a couple?This sentence is useful for asking if two people are a couple using un couple.Tatoeba #10489255 by pkill, translation #10826310 by Lebensfreude
- Faisons semblant d'être un couple.Let's pretend to be a couple.This sentence is useful for suggesting that people pretend to be un couple.Tatoeba #11968998 by lbdx, translation #2221566 by CM
- Ces deux-ci ne forment pas un couple.These two are not a couple.This sentence is useful for stating that two people do not form un couple.Tatoeba #11136032 by sacredceltic, translation #11136021 by carlosalberto
- Le directeur a invité un couple important à la conférence.The director invited an important couple to the conference.
- Le couple royal est un duo très apprécié par le peuple.The royal couple is a duo highly appreciated by the people.
- Regarde ce petit couple qui se tient la main.Look at that cute couple holding hands.
- Le parc était rempli de couples amoureux lors de la Saint-Valentin.The park was filled with loving couples on Valentine's Day.
- Les tourtereaux sont partis en vacances ensemble.The lovebirds went on vacation together.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are talking about some people at a party.
- LucasJe pense qu'ils forment un couple.I think they are a couple.
- EmmaTu crois ? Ils ont l'air d'être amis.You think so? They look like friends.
- LucasRegarde, ils se tiennent la main.Look, they are holding hands.
- EmmaAh oui, c'est vraiment un couple !Oh yes, they really are a couple!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries couple, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
