koppels

Koppels is a Dutch noun that serves as the plural form of koppel. Its primary sense is “a pair” or “a couple,” referring to two items that are linked or matched, such as a koppel paarden (a pair of horses) or other paired objects. In everyday language it can also denote two people who form a romantic or long-term relationship, i.e., a couple, and in that sense koppels can describe more than one couple.

The word is formed by adding the plural ending -s to the singular koppel. The related verb is koppelen, meaning “to couple” or “to connect,” and it is used in both mechanical contexts (to couple parts or vehicles) and social contexts (to pair people). The term koppel shares its conceptual origin with these verbs and appears in phrases and compound forms tied to pairing or linking.

Usage notes: In agricultural or animal contexts, koppel often describes two animals that move and work together. In everyday language, the plural koppels can refer to several pairs of objects or several couples, though in many cases more specific terms like paren or paar are used for counting items or describing romantic relationships. The word can appear in both neutral and descriptive contexts, without implying any particular kind of relationship beyond the notion of pairing.

See also: koppelen, koppel, paar.