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 2026.5.22 6:10

02500/02724_koibito