恋人(こいびと)

こいびと
noun
lover, sweetheart, boyfriend/girlfriend
1. lover, sweetheart
A romantic partner.
恋人(こいびと)ができた。
I got a boyfriend/girlfriend.
恋人(こいびと)と別(わか)れた。
I broke up with my boyfriend/girlfriend.
恋人(こいびと)と旅行(りょこう)に行(い)く。
To go on a trip with one's lover.
恋人(こいびと)の誕生日(たんじょうび)にプレゼントを買(か)った。
I bought a present for my boyfriend's/girlfriend's birthday.
高校(こうこう)の時(とき)に初(はじ)めて恋人(こいびと)ができて、毎日(まいにち)一緒(いっしょ)に帰(かえ)っていた。
When I was in high school, I got my first boyfriend/girlfriend, and we used to walk home together every day.

恋人(こいびと) refers to a romantic partner. It is gender-neutral and slightly more literary or formal than 彼氏(かれし)/彼女(かのじょ).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 恋人(こいびと)ができる: to get a boyfriend/girlfriend
  • 恋人(こいびと)と別(わか)れる: to break up with one's partner
  • 恋人(こいびと)同士(どうし): as a couple, between lovers
  • 恋人(こいびと)募集(ぼしゅう): seeking a partner (in ads)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 彼氏(かれし): boyfriend (casual, everyday)
  • 彼女(かのじょ): girlfriend (casual, everyday)
  • パートナー: partner (modern, gender-neutral)
  • 愛人(あいじん): lover (implies extramarital or secret relationship — do not confuse with 恋人(こいびと))

REGISTER:
Used in both spoken and written Japanese. In casual conversation, 彼氏(かれし)/彼女(かのじょ) is more common; 恋人(こいびと) has a slightly romantic or literary feel.

Related Words

Related: 恋(こい) (romantic love)
core
Added 2026.1.11 16:28 · Revised 2026.4.2 17:34
02500/02724_koibito