significant other

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian Unknown Neutral
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Meaning: romantic partner

恋人,伴侣。
Pareja sentimental.
恋人、パートナー。
연인, 파트너

Gender-neutral term for a romantic partner. Used when 'boyfriend/girlfriend' seems inadequate or 'spouse' is inaccurate.

恋爱伴侣的性别中立说法。当'boyfriend/girlfriend'显得不够恰当或'spouse'不准确时使用。
Término neutro en cuanto al género para referirse a la pareja sentimental. Se usa cuando 'novio/novia' parece inadecuado o 'cónyuge' no es exacto.
恋人を指す性別中立的な表現。「Boyfriend/girlfriend」では不十分に感じる時や、「Spouse」が正確でない場合に使う。
연인을 성별 중립적으로 지칭하는 표현. '남자친구/여자친구'가 부족하게 느껴지거나 '배우자'가 정확하지 않을 때 사용한다.

Examples

  1. Bring your significant other to the party.
    带你的另一半来聚会吧
    Trae a tu pareja a la fiesta
    パーティーにパートナーを連れてきてね
    파티에 파트너를 데려와
  2. Do you have a significant other?
    你有另一半吗?
    ¿Tienes pareja?
    パートナーはいますか?
    파트너가 있으세요?
  3. My significant other works in finance.
    我的另一半在金融行业工作
    Mi pareja trabaja en finanzas
    私のパートナーは金融業界で働いています
    제 파트너는 금융업에서 일해요

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: formal, inclusive

Tone: neutral

✓ Do Say

  • Formal or gender-neutral reference
    正式或性别中立的说法
    referencia formal o neutra en cuanto al género
    フォーマルまたは性別中立的な言い方
    격식 있거나 성별 중립적으로 지칭할 때 사용

✗ Don't Say

  • Sounds clinical to some
    对某些人来说听起来太正式冷淡
    A algunas personas les suena demasiado clínico
    堅苦しく聞こえる人もいる
    일부에게는 딱딱하게 들릴 수 있음

Origin & History

American term from the 1950s, popularised as an inclusive alternative to gendered relationship terms.

Cultural Context

Era: modern

Generation: all ages

Social background: all

More From This Topic

Fancy ★★★★★ Be attracted to, have romantic interest in (British). Pull ★★★★★ Successfully attract someone romantically; kiss or hook u... Fit ★★★★★ Attractive, good-looking (British slang). Snog ★★★★★ Kiss passionately, make out (British). Seeing someone ★★★★★ In the early stages of dating, not yet official (British). Official ★★★★★ In a committed, acknowledged relationship (modern dating).
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