pair - Meaning, Usage, and Translations Across 30 Languages

The Word “Pair”: Meaning, Usage, and Translations Across 30 Languages

The word “pair” has several meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Generally, it refers to two things that are similar or complementary to each other, whether they are objects, people, or concepts. The word “pair” can be used as both a noun and a verb, making it a versatile term in the English language.

Meaning of “Pair” in Different Contexts

1. As a Noun:

Definition: A pair refers to two similar items that are intended to be used together or are naturally linked.
Example: “I bought a new pair of shoes.” In this case, “pair” refers to two shoes that match and are designed to be worn together.

2. As a Verb:

Definition: To pair means to match or bring together two similar or complementary items or people.
Example: “We paired the socks together after washing them.” In this example, “paired” means putting two socks together that belong to the same set.

3. In Relationships:

Definition: The word “pair” is often used to describe two people who are together in a romantic or functional relationship, or in a cooperative context.
Example: “The teacher paired the students for the group project.” Here, “pair” refers to assigning two students to work together.

4. In Sports:

Definition: In some sports, a pair refers to two individuals who compete together as a team or in partnership.
Example: “They are the best tennis pair on the tour.” In this context, “pair” refers to two players who play as a team.

5. In Animals:

Definition: In nature, a pair can refer to two animals that are together in a relationship, particularly during mating seasons.
Example: “The two birds formed a pair for the breeding season.” Here, “pair” refers to two birds who are together for reproduction purposes.

Common Contexts in Which “Pair” is Used

1. In Everyday Objects

One of the most common uses of the word “pair” is when referring to items that come in sets of two, such as shoes, socks, gloves, or earrings. These items are often referred to as pairs because they are designed to complement each other.

Example: “I need to find my other pair of gloves.”

2. In Personal Relationships

The word “pair” is frequently used to describe two people who are closely associated, whether they are romantic partners, friends, or collaborators.

Example: “They make a great pair on the dance floor.”

3. In Games and Sports

In some sports, such as tennis, badminton, or even in board games, the term “pair” refers to two players working together as a team.

Example: “The pair won the doubles tennis match easily.”

4. In Animal Behavior

Animals often form pairs, particularly during mating seasons. The word “pair” is often used in zoology to describe this type of relationship.

Example: “The wolves formed a strong pair for hunting together.”

5. In Technology and Computing

In the field of technology, particularly in Bluetooth and networking contexts, “pairing” refers to the process of connecting two devices, typically wirelessly.

Example: “You need to pair your phone with the Bluetooth speaker to play music.”

Translations of the Word “Pair” in 30 Languages

Below is a table showing the translation of “pair” in 30 different languages, along with example sentences in each language.

Language	Translation	Example Sentence (in the target language)	English Translation of Example
English	Pair	“I bought a new pair of shoes.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Spanish	Par	“Compré un nuevo par de zapatos.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
French	Paire	“J’ai acheté une nouvelle paire de chaussures.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
German	Paar	“Ich habe ein neues Paar Schuhe gekauft.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Italian	Coppia	“Ho comprato una nuova coppia di scarpe.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Portuguese	Par	“Comprei um novo par de sapatos.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Russian	Пара (Para)	“Я купил новую пару туфель.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Chinese (Simplified)	一对 (Yī duì)	“我买了一双新鞋。”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Japanese	ペア (Pea)	“新しい靴を買いました。”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Korean	쌍 (Ssang)	“새 신발 한 켤레를 샀습니다.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Hindi	जोड़ी (Jodi)	“मैंने एक नया जूते की जोड़ी खरीदी।”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Bengali	জোড়া (Jora)	“আমি নতুন একটি জুতো কিনেছি।”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Urdu	جوڑی (Jodi)	“میں نے ایک نئی جوتے کی جوڑی خریدی۔”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Turkish	Takım	“Yeni bir ayakkabı takımı aldım.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Dutch	Paar	“Ik heb een nieuw paar schoenen gekocht.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Greek	Ζευγάρι (Zeygari)	“Αγόρασα ένα καινούργιο ζευγάρι παπούτσια.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Swedish	Par	“Jag köpte ett nytt par skor.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Danish	Par	“Jeg købte et nyt par sko.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Finnish	Pari	“Ostin uuden parin kenkiä.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Norwegian	Par	“Jeg kjøpte et nytt par sko.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Polish	Para	“Kupiłem nową parę butów.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Czech	Pár	“Koupil jsem nový pár bot.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Hungarian	Pár	“Vettem egy új pár cipőt.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Hebrew	זוג (Zug)	“קניתי זוג נעליים חדש.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Thai	คู่ (Khū̂)	“ฉันซื้อรองเท้าคู่ใหม่.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Vietnamese	Đôi	“Tôi đã mua một đôi giày mới.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Indonesian	Sepasang	“Saya membeli sepatu sepasang baru.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Filipino	Magkapareha	“Bumili ako ng bagong magkaparehang sapatos.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Malay	Pasangan	“Saya membeli sepasang kasut baru.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Swahili	Jozi	“Nimenunua jozi jipya la viatu.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)
Arabic	زوج (Zawj)	“اشتريت زوجًا جديدًا من الأحذية.”	(I bought a new pair of shoes.)

Final Thoughts

The word “pair” is a versatile term used in various contexts, from objects that are meant to be used together (like shoes or gloves) to relationships and collaborations between people. It is used widely across languages and cultures, reflecting its importance in daily life. Whether referring to objects, people, or animals, a “pair” denotes a set of two related entities that complement or enhance each other in some way.

In this global context, the concept of pairing transcends language barriers, making it an essential part of communication in everyday life. By understanding the different ways “pair” is used across languages and cultures, we can better appreciate its significance in both practical and metaphorical senses.