couple
/kupl/masculine
The English phrase "couple" (meaning two partners) is translated into French as couple. Wiktionary also lists paire.
Meaning: two partners (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| couple | /kupl/ | masculine |
| paire | /pɛʁ/ | feminine |
The word couple is used to refer to two people in a romantic relationship. If you want to state that people are in a relationship, the standard phrase is en couple.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between couple and paire. While couple refers to two people in a relationship, paire (pair) is used for a pair of identical or matching objects, such as socks or shoes.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word couple is a masculine noun. The related verb coupler means to join together.
How do you pronounce it?
/kupl/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using un couple de to mean "a few" (for example, when trying to say "a couple of days"). In French, un couple de specifically refers to a pair of things. To express the idea of "a few", you should use quelques instead.
Did you know?
- The term couple is used in French physics to describe a 'torque' or a turning force. This is because a torque involves two equal and opposite forces acting on a body.
- Unlike English where 'pair' and 'couple' are often interchangeable for people, calling a romantic couple une paire can imply they are an odd match or resemble each other in a funny way.
- The French word couple comes from the Latin cōpula, which refers to a bond or a tie. This is the same root as the English word 'copulate'.
Examples in context
- Sont-ils un couple ?Are they a couple?This sentence is useful for asking if two people are a couple.Tatoeba #10489255 by pkill, translation #10826310 by Lebensfreude
- Nous sommes en couple.We're a couple.This sentence is useful for stating that people are en couple.Tatoeba #4805463 by sacredceltic, translation #2240836 by CK
- Le couple a une fille.The couple have one daughter.This sentence is useful for describing a couple and their daughter.Tatoeba #13252504 by calypsow, translation #10910064 by CM
- J'ai acheté une paire de chaussuresI bought a pair of shoes
- Les danseurs ont formé une paire parfaite sur scène.The dancers formed a perfect pair on stage.
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are talking about their friends at a party.
- LéaRegarde, c'est un couple très mignon.Look, that is a very cute couple.
- HugoOui, ils ont l'air heureux ensemble.Yes, they look happy together.
- LéaEst-ce que ce couple habite ici ?Does that couple live here?
- HugoJe ne sais pas, Hugo ne le sait pas non plus.I don't know, Hugo doesn't know either.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “couple” translations and entries couple, paire, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries couple, paire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
