Translation guide
The English word 'couple' can refer to two people in a romantic relationship, a small indefinite number (a few), or the act of joining things together. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Referring to a pair of people who are married, dating, or otherwise romantically involved.
The most common and natural word for a romantic couple, especially dating or unmarried. Can also refer to any pair, but primarily used for romantic pairs.
あのカップルはいつも一緒にいる。
That couple is always together.
公園にたくさんのカップルがいた。
There were many couples in the park.
Specifically a married couple. Use this when the marital status is known or emphasized.
隣の夫婦はとても仲がいい。
The couple next door gets along very well.
あの夫婦は結婚して10年になる。
That couple has been married for 10 years.
Literally 'two people'. Often used to refer to a couple in a natural, understated way, especially when the context makes the relationship clear.
あの二人は付き合っているの？
Are those two dating?
二人で映画に行った。
The two of us (as a couple) went to a movie.
Emphasizes that the two are lovers. More explicit and slightly literary or formal.
彼らは恋人同士のように見える。
They look like a couple (of lovers).
Expressing an indefinite small quantity, roughly two or a few.
Literally 'two, three'. The most common way to say 'a couple of' when referring to a small number of things. Often used with counters.
二、三日後にまた来ます。
I'll come again in a couple of days.
二、三個のリンゴを買った。
I bought a couple of apples.
Prefix meaning 'a few' or 'several'. Used in formal or written contexts. Attaches to counters.
数日後に会議があります。
There is a meeting in a couple of days.
Means 'some' or 'a few'. More casual and flexible than 数. Can be used without a counter.
いくつか質問があります。
I have a couple of questions.
The verb 'to couple', meaning to link or connect two things together.
General term for coupling or linking things, often mechanical or physical.
車両を連結する。
To couple train cars.
To combine or join together, often used in technical or abstract contexts.
二つのシステムを結合する。
To couple two systems.
Casual verb meaning to connect or link. Can be used for physical or abstract connections.
パイプをつなぐ。
To couple pipes.
Use カップル for dating or unmarried couples, and 夫婦 specifically for married couples. 二人 is a neutral way to refer to a pair when the relationship is understood from context.
Do not use カップルの to mean 'a couple of' things. That would mean 'a couple's (something)'. Use 二、三 or 数 instead.
A couple of friends came.