ボーイフレンド

ボーイフレンド is a loanword from English "boyfriend." While it directly translates the English meaning, in everyday modern Japanese 彼氏(かれし) is far more common when referring to a romantic partner.

NUANCE COMPARED TO 彼氏(かれし):

• 彼氏(かれし): standard, neutral term — "my boyfriend" in the romantic sense
• ボーイフレンド: can suggest a casual relationship, a male friend who is close but not necessarily a serious partner, or carries a slightly dated/romanticized feel
• In some contexts, ボーイフレンド is used by older speakers or in literary/translated contexts

Common collocations

• ボーイフレンドができる: to get a boyfriend
• ボーイフレンドと別(わか)れる: to break up with one's boyfriend
• ボーイフレンドと付(つ)き合(あ)う: to date a boyfriend

Similar words

• 彼氏(かれし): boyfriend (most common everyday term)
• 恋人(こいびと): romantic partner (gender-neutral, slightly more romantic)
• パートナー: partner (modern, gender-neutral, often used for long-term relationships)

Related words

• ガールフレンド: girlfriend (female counterpart, similar register issues)
• 彼女(かのじょ): girlfriend (most common everyday term)