In the exercise quelques livres is translated as a couple of books as well as some books.

Karen H.C1Kwiziq community member

In the exercise quelques livres is translated as a couple of books as well as some books.

In English I was always taught that strictly "couple" means two and it's a misuse to use it otherwise.  Can you explain why quelques therefore translates as some and two?  Thank you.
Asked 6 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi K,

In my experience, a couple of, in English is used for 2 or thereabouts.

We don't have such an expression for very small approximate quantities in French as they start with the number 10:

Une dizaine, une vingtaine, une trentaine etc.. which mean about 10, 20, 30 ...

so Quelques, meaning a few, ( an indeterminate small quantity) can be somea few or a couple of depending on the context.

Some will often be 'des'.

Hope this helps!

Robert B.C1Kwiziq community member

I agree with Karen.  I too was taught that "couple" means only two, while the more vague word "few" means a small number of two or more. "Few" includes 2, but "couple" cannot include 3. Yes, many Americans use "couple" to mean "few", but the possible Kwiziq answer that includes "couple" should be removed. Otherwise it's a trick question.

Robert B.C1Kwiziq community member

I agree with Karen.  I too was taught that "couple" means only two, while the more vague word "few" means a small number of two or more. "Few" includes 2, but "couple" cannot include 3. Yes, many Americans use "couple" to mean "few", but the possible Kwiziq answer that includes "couple" should be removed. Otherwise it's a trick question.

Christine A.B1Kwiziq community member

I agree with the above comments - a couple means only two so it is not the right translation for quelques

In the exercise quelques livres is translated as a couple of books as well as some books.

In English I was always taught that strictly "couple" means two and it's a misuse to use it otherwise.  Can you explain why quelques therefore translates as some and two?  Thank you.

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...