パートナー

ぱーとなー
noun
partner
1. partner, significant other, collaborator
A person with whom one shares a close relationship — romantic, business, or collaborative. Increasingly used in Japan as a gender-neutral term for a romantic partner.
パートナーと相談(そうだん)する。
To discuss with one's partner.
ビジネスパートナーとして信頼(しんらい)している。
I trust them as a business partner.
人生(じんせい)のパートナーとして、これからも一緒(いっしょ)(あゆ)んでいきたい。
I want to continue walking through life together as life partners.

USAGE:
パートナー covers both romantic and business partnerships. In recent years, it has become the preferred gender-neutral term for referring to a romantic partner, especially in discussions about diverse relationships. パートナーシップ制度(せいど) refers to same-sex partnership registration systems adopted by some Japanese municipalities.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ビジネスパートナー: business partner
  • 人生(じんせい)のパートナー: life partner
  • パートナーシップ: partnership
  • パートナーシップ制度(せいど): partnership registration system
  • パートナーを()つける: to find a partner

SIMILAR WORDS:
相棒(あいぼう) (partner/buddy) is informal and often used for work or crime-solving partnerships. 連れ合い(つれあい) (spouse) is a traditional term for a married partner.