Rebound
Meaning: A person someone dates immediately after a breakup, often as a way to cope with the loss.
A rebound is the transitional person you date after a significant relationship ends. Rebound relationships are stereotypically short-lived because they're driven by loneliness or a desire to move on quickly rather than genuine connection. Being called 'the rebound' is rarely a compliment — it implies you're a placeholder rather than a real romantic interest.
Examples
- Am I just a rebound or does she actually like me? 我只是她的替代品,还是她真的喜欢我?¿Soy solo un clavo que saca otro clavo o le gusto de verdad?私はただの「つなぎ」なの?それとも本当に私のことが好きなの?나는 그냥 반동 연애 상대인 거야, 아니면 진짜 나를 좋아하는 거야?
- His new girlfriend is totally a rebound — they started dating a week after his breakup. 他的新女友完全是过渡期的——他们分手一周后就开始交往了。Su nueva novia es claramente un rebote — empezaron a salir una semana después de su ruptura.彼の新しい彼女は完全にリバウンドだよ——別れてから1週間で付き合い始めたんだから。그의 새 여자친구는 완전 반동이야 — 헤어지고 1주일 만에 사귀기 시작했으니까.
- I don't want to be anyone's rebound. I want something real. 我不想当任何人的替代品。我想要真正的感情。No quiero ser el rebote de nadie. Quiero algo de verdad.誰かの「つなぎ」にはなりたくない。本物の恋愛がしたいの。누군가의 반동 연애 상대가 되고 싶지 않아. 진짜 사랑을 원해.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: breakups, dating, relationship advice
Tone: skeptical, cautionary
✓ Do Say
- She's just a rebound.她只是过渡期的对象。Ella es solo un rebote.彼女はただのリバウンドだよ。그녀는 그냥 반동 연애 상대야.
- Rebound relationships never last.过渡期的恋情从来都不长久。Las relaciones de rebote nunca duran.リバウンドの恋愛は絶対長続きしない。리바운드 연애는 절대 오래 못 가.
✗ Don't Say
- Calling someone a rebound to their face is hurtful — it dismisses their feelings and value当面叫别人 rebound 很伤人——这等于否定了对方的感情和价值Llamar a alguien rebote en su cara es hiriente — desestima sus sentimientos y su valor como persona面と向かって相手を「リバウンド」と呼ぶのは傷つける——相手の感情や価値を否定することになる당사자 앞에서 리바운드라고 부르는 것은 상처가 된다 — 상대의 감정과 가치를 무시하는 표현이기 때문이다
Origin & History
From basketball — a rebound is grabbing the ball after a missed shot. Applied to dating since the 1970s-80s, comparing a new post-breakup partner to 'grabbing' someone quickly after a romantic 'miss.'
Cultural Context
Era: 1970s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from Social Life & Dating
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free