Spanish word

pareja

Pronunciation

IPA/paˈɾexa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpartner

Example

Mi pareja es muy amable.

My partner is very kind.

Illustration for pareja (partner)

More examples

Salgo con mi pareja los fines de semana.

I go out with my partner on weekends.

Core concept

Two people standing together as a couple.

Common phrases

  • salir con pareja

    go out with one's partner

  • estar en pareja

    be a couple

  • romper con pareja

    break up with one's partner

Similar words

novio: Male romantic partner (boyfriend).
novia: Female romantic partner (girlfriend).
compañero: Person who lives together as a companion or roommate.
esposo: Married man; husband.

Definition in Spanish

Persona que mantiene con otra una relación sentimental o afectiva; también, el conjunto formado por dos personas unidas como pareja.

Word origin

From Latin par 'equal' via medieval Spanish meaning 'pair', the word shifted from 'two joined' to denote a romantic or domestic couple.

Usage tips

  • Mi pareja is a neutral, commonly used way to refer to a romantic partner or spouse without specifying gender, while esposo/esposa or cónyuge are used for explicit legal or formal identification.

Other meanings

  • couplenoun
  • spousenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word