beau couple
The English phrase "beautiful couple" is translated into French as beau couple.
The phrase is used to describe two people in a romantic relationship who are physically attractive or who look good together. When expressing that two people "make" or "are" a beautiful couple, French speakers typically use the verb faire (to make/do) instead of être (to be).
Which one should you use?
While beau couple specifically refers to a romantic pairing, if you are referring to a professional or performance-based partnership, you might instead use un beau duo or un beau tandem.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "a beautiful couple", use the indefinite article un before the phrase to form un beau couple.
Did you know?
- French has a specific term couple fusionnel to describe a couple so close they seem to have merged into one personality.
- The word couple shares its roots with the English word 'copula', which is a term used in grammar to describe a linking verb like 'is'. Both words trace back to the same Latin origin meaning 'a bond' or 'a link'.
- In old French legal terms, couple was sometimes used to describe the binding of two families through marriage rather than just two individuals.
Examples in context
- Vous faites un beau couple.You two make a beautiful couple.This sentence shows how to use the phrase to say someone makes a beautiful couple with the form beau couple.Tatoeba #8226619 by josivangoncalves, translation #6392814 by Hybrid
- Mon père et ma mère forment un beau couple.My father and my mother are a beautiful couple.This sentence uses the verb forment to describe how two people constitute a beautiful couple using the form beau couple.Tatoeba #11245491 by carlosalberto, translation #11245486 by carlosalberto
- Ce couple est vraiment magnifique. Ils resplendissent lorsqu'ils sont ensemble.This couple is truly magnificent. They shine when they are together.
- Regarde ce couple canon ! Ils sont vraiment faits l'un pour l'autre.Look at that hot couple! They are truly meant for each other.
- Ils forment un beau couple.They make a beautiful couple.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a photo of a wedding.
- GabrielRegarde cette photo, quel beau couple !Look at this photo, what a beautiful couple!
- EmmaOui, ils sont vraiment élégants.Yes, they are truly elegant.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu les connais ?Do you know them?
- EmmaNon, mais ils ont l'air très heureux.No, but they look very happy.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beau, couple, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
