伴侶(はんりょ)

はんりょ
noun
partner; companion; spouse
1. partner; companion; spouse; life partner
A person who accompanies one through life, typically a spouse or romantic partner. A somewhat formal or literary word that carries warmth and implies a deep, lasting bond.
人生(じんせい)の伴侶(はんりょ)を見(み)つけたい。
I want to find a life partner.
彼女(かのじょ)は最良(さいりょう)の伴侶(はんりょ)だと思(おも)っている。
I think she is the best partner I could have.
長年(ながねん)の伴侶(はんりょ)を亡(な)くし、深(ふか)い悲(かな)しみに暮(く)れていた。
Having lost a longtime partner, he was sunk in deep grief.

USAGE:
A formal, somewhat literary word most commonly seen in the phrase 人生(じんせい)の伴侶(はんりょ) (life partner). More elevated than 配偶者(はいぐうしゃ) (which is bureaucratic) or パートナー (which is casual). Used in speeches, wedding contexts, and reflective writing.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 人生(じんせい)の伴侶(はんりょ) (life partner)
  • 良(よ)き伴侶(はんりょ) (good companion/partner)
  • 伴侶(はんりょ)を得(え)る (gain a partner)
  • 旅(たび)の伴侶(はんりょ) (traveling companion — literary)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 配偶者(はいぐうしゃ): spouse — legal/bureaucratic term
  • パートナー: partner — casual, modern term
  • 連れ合(つれあ)い: spouse — warm, colloquial term for husband/wife
general
Added 2026.3.19 19:02
17500/17962_hanryo