Japanese word

恋人

Pronunciation

Romajikoibito

Meaning

  • nounboyfriend

Example

私の恋人は優しいです。watashi no koi bito wa yasa shi i de su

My boyfriend is kind.

Illustration for 恋人 (boyfriend)

More examples

友達に新しい恋人を紹介しました。tomo dachi ni atara shi i koi bito o shō kai shi ma shi ta

I introduced my new boyfriend to my friend.

Core concept

Refers to the person with whom someone shares a romantic relationship, without specifying gender.

Common phrases

  • 恋人がいるkoi bito ga i ru

    have a boyfriend

  • 恋人に会うkoi bito ni a u

    meet one's boyfriend

  • 恋人を紹介するkoi bito o shō kai su ru

    introduce one's boyfriend

Similar words

彼氏kareshi: A male person in a romantic relationship with someone.
交際相手kōsaiaite: A person who is romantically involved with someone as a dating partner.
パートナーpātonā: A person in an established romantic relationship with someone.

Definition in Japanese

恋愛関係にある相手。ren ai kan kei ni a ru ai te

Word origin

恋人 (koibito) combines 恋 (koi, "romantic love") and 人 (hito, "person"); 人 is pronounced bito here through a sound change.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English boyfriend or girlfriend, 恋人 (koibito) does not by itself show the partner's gender, so it works as a gender-neutral noun.

Other meanings

  • girlfriendnoun

Word lists with this word