A couple of Meaning in English
expression
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈkəpəɫ/ /ˈəv
uh KUH-puhl-uhv
æɪ/ /kˈʌpəl/ /ˈɒv
uh KUP-uhl-ov
Definition
Used to mean ‘two’ or ‘a small number’ of people or things, often casually (not exactly two).
Usage & Nuances
Informal and very common in speech. Usually means ‘two,’ but sometimes just ‘a few.’ Not used with large numbers. Can refer to people or things. Don’t confuse with ‘a few,’ which can be more than two.
Spanish: un par de - un par (pocas)Portuguese (BR): um par de - alguns(as)Portuguese (PT): um par de - alguns(as)Chinese (Simplified): 几个 - 两三个Chinese (Traditional): 幾個 - 兩三個Hindi: कुछ - दो-तीनArabic: بضعة - اثنان أو ثلاثةBengali: কয়েকটি - দুইটিRussian: пара - несколькоJapanese: 二つ - いくつかVietnamese: vài - haiKorean: 두 개 - 몇 개Turkish: birkaç - ikiUrdu: دو - کچھIndonesian: beberapa - dua
Example Sentences
I need a couple of eggs for this recipe.
basic
He waited a couple of minutes.
basic
Can you lend me a couple of dollars?
basic
There are a couple of ways to solve this problem.
natural
I saw a couple of friends at the park.
natural
Could you give me a couple of minutes?
natural