una pareja
/una paɾexa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "a couple" is translated as una pareja when referring to two people in a romantic relationship.
The phrase una pareja is used to describe two people who are in a romantic relationship. While it is commonly used for romantic partners, it can also be used more broadly to mean a general pair of people or objects.
Which one should you use?
Use una pareja when referring to romantic partners, but use un par when you mean a pair or a small number of inanimate objects.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun pareja is feminine, which is why the indefinite article must be una to ensure proper agreement.
How do you pronounce it?
/una paɾexa/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, pareja can be used as an adjective to mean 'even' or 'level', such as when describing a flat surface or an even score in a game.
- The word pareja stems from the Latin diminutive pāricula, which literally means 'a little equal' or 'a little peer'.
- While una pareja refers to a romantic couple, the word pareja also means 'partner' in the context of a dance or a sporting match.
Examples in context
- Hay una pareja aquí.There's a couple here.This sentence shows how to state the presence of una pareja.Tatoeba #1547964 by marcelostockle, translation #880595 by CM
- No somos una pareja.We're not a couple.This sentence is useful for expressing that two people are not una pareja.Tatoeba #3523372 by marcelostockle, translation #2548489 by CK
- Finjamos ser una pareja.Let's pretend to be a couple.This sentence demonstrates how to use una pareja in the context of pretending to be in a relationship.Tatoeba #3084204 by marcelostockle, translation #2221566 by CM
- Juan y María son una pareja feliz.Juan and María are a happy couple.
- El matrimonio está celebrando su aniversario.The married couple is celebrating their anniversary.
- Juan y María son una parejita adorable.Juan and María are an adorable couple.
- Ellos son novios desde hace tres años.They have been dating for three years.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking about their friends at a party.
- Javier¿Viste a esos dos allá?Did you see those two over there?
- LucíaSí, son una pareja muy dulce.Yes, they are a very sweet couple.
- JavierParece que llevan mucho tiempo juntos.It seems they have been together a long time.
- LucíaSí, se ven muy bien.Yes, they look very good.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pareja, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
