das  Paar

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/paːɐ̯/

👫 What Exactly is 'das Paar'?

The German word das Paar (noun, neuter) generally refers to two associated things or people.

• Two people: Often a romantic Paar (couple) or Ehepaar (married couple). Example: Das glückliche Paar feierte seine Hochzeit. (The happy couple celebrated their wedding.)
• Two related items: Things that typically appear as a unit. Example: Ich brauche ein neues Paar Schuhe. (I need a new pair of shoes.)

🚨 Important Distinction: Do not confuse it with the indefinite numeral ein paar (lowercase!), which means 'a few' or 'some'. Example: Ich habe nur ein paar Euro dabei. (I only have a few euros with me.) 'Das Paar', on the other hand, always refers to exactly two.

🧐 Grammar in Pairs

Das Paar is a noun with the article das (neuter).

Declension of 'das Paar'

Example Sentences

• Das frisch verliebte Paar ging Hand in Hand spazieren. (The newly-in-love couple walked hand in hand.)
• Die Ringe des Paares glänzten im Sonnenlicht. (The couple's rings shone in the sunlight.)
• Wir gratulierten dem Paar zur Verlobung. (We congratulated the couple on their engagement.)
• Ich kaufte mir ein Paar neue Socken. (I bought myself a new pair of socks.)
• Auf der Tanzfläche bewegten sich viele Paare. (Many couples moved on the dance floor.)
• Das Tanzen der Paare war wunderschön anzusehen. (The dancing of the couples was beautiful to watch.)
• Der Kellner brachte den Paaren die Getränke. (The waiter brought drinks to the couples.)
• Der Fotograf machte Bilder von allen Paaren. (The photographer took pictures of all the couples.)

When and How to Use 'das Paar'

Das Paar is used when referring to a specific unit of two related elements.

• Context 'People': Often romantic (Ehepaar - married couple, Liebespaar - romantic couple), but also Tanzpaar (dancing pair), Geschäftspaar (business pair). It emphasizes the togetherness of two.
• Context 'Objects': Typically things that only make sense or are sold in pairs (Schuhe - shoes, Socken - socks, Handschuhe - gloves, Ohrringe - earrings). Also more abstract things like ein Paar Worte (a couple of words - meaning a few, brief words, slightly idiomatic).

⚠️ Pitfall: The most common mistake is confusing it with 'ein paar' (a few, some). Pay attention to capitalization and context!

• Ich habe ein Paar Socken gekauft. (I bought a pair of socks - exactly two matching socks.)
• Ich habe ein paar Socken gekauft. (I bought a few socks - some, maybe three or four single or non-matching socks.)

Compare with:

• Duo: Similar, often emphasizes an artistic or musical twosome.
• Doppel: Often used in sports (Tennisdoppel - tennis doubles) or for something twofold.

Memory Magic for 'das Paar' ✨

• Article Mnemonic: Think of 'dAS PAAR'. The letters A and S are both in the article 'das'. Or imagine: 'Das is a splendid pair!' (associating 'das' with 'a splendid'). Since 'Paar' feels inherently plural (two items), remembering the singular neuter 'das' can be tricky. Maybe think: the 'unit' or 'set' (which is singular) is neuter -> das Paar.

• Meaning Mnemonic (vs. 'ein paar'): Imagine a big sign: 'DAS PAAR - Strictly 2!'. The capital 'DAS' and the number 2 emphasize the meaning 'exactly two'. For 'ein paar' (a few), think of a small, indefinite amount – 'just a few crumbs' (nur ein paar Krümel).

Relatives & Opposites of Paar

Similar but Different Words

• ein paar: (Indefinite pronoun) a few, some. Attention: Lowercase and different meaning!
• paarig: (Adjective) occurring in pairs (e.g., paarige Organe - paired organs).
• paaren: (Verb) to mate (usually animals), or to pair things up.

😂 A Little Chuckle

Fragt der eine Schuh den anderen: „Na, heute schon Ausgang gehabt?“
Sagt der andere: „Nein, wir sind doch ein Paar – wir gehen nur zusammen raus!“

Translation: One shoe asks the other: "Well, been out today?"
The other replies: "No, we're a pair – we only go out together!"

Verses for the Pair

Zwei Herzen, die im Gleichtakt schlagen,
ein Paar, das will durchs Leben tragen.
Zwei Schuhe, die zusammengehören,
würden einzeln nur den Sinn zerstören. Ob Mensch, ob Ding, ob groß, ob klein,
als Paar sind sie niemals allein.

Translation:
Two hearts that beat in the same rhythm,
a pair/couple, wanting to carry through life.
Two shoes that belong together,
would only destroy the purpose individually.
Whether person, whether thing, whether big, whether small,
as a pair, they are never alone.

🤔 A Little Riddle

Ich bestehe immer aus zwei,
ob Socke, Schuh, ob Allerlei.
Manchmal sind's zwei Menschen voller Glück,
man kauft mich oft als Doppelstück.

Was bin ich? Lösung: Das Paar

Translation:
I always consist of two,
whether sock, shoe, or various things.
Sometimes it's two people full of happiness,
you often buy me as a double item.

What am I? Answer: Das Paar (The pair/couple)

💡 More Tidbits about 'das Paar'

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): 'Das Paar' is part of many compound words:

• Ehepaar: A married couple.
• Liebespaar: A couple in a romantic relationship.
• Brautpaar: A couple on their wedding day (bride and groom).
• Paarlauf: Pairs skating (in figure skating).
• Paarreim: Couplet (two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme, scheme aabb).

Etymology: The word comes from the Latin 'par', meaning 'equal'. This highlights the togetherness and often the similarity of the two parts of a pair.