amāns
feminine, masculine
The English phrase "boyfriend" can be translated into Latin using amāns. Wiktionary also lists amātor and amīculus.
Meaning: male partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| amāns | feminine, masculine |
| amātor | masculine |
| amīculus | masculine |
| amīcus | masculine |
The terms for boyfriend describe a male partner in a romantic relationship.
Which one should you use?
While amīcus can be used to mean boyfriend in certain contexts, its primary meaning is "friend", so context is required to distinguish a romantic partner from a platonic one.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term amāns can be either masculine or feminine. The terms amātor, amīculus and amīcus are masculine.
Did you know?
- The word amātor shares a root with the English word 'amateur'. While it means 'boyfriend' or 'lover' in Latin, it evolved in French to describe someone who loves a subject as a hobby.
- The word amāns is a present participle, literally meaning 'the loving one'. This describes the person by their action of loving rather than by a fixed social title.
- The term amīculus is a diminutive of amīcus, which can make the word sound more affectionate or even slightly condescending, depending on the tone.
Examples in context
- Amīcus meus nōn es.You're not my boyfriend.This sentence is useful for clarifying that someone is not your boyfriend using the form amīcus.Tatoeba #9389868 by shekitten, translation #9389872 by shekitten
- Amāns meus est bonus vir.My boyfriend is a good man.
- Quis est amāns tuus?Who is your boyfriend?
Example conversation
Lucia is introducing her partner to Lucius.
- LuciaLuci, hic est amāns meus.Lucius, this is my boyfriend.
- LuciusSalvē! Gaudeō tē vidēre.Hello! Glad to meet you.
- LuciaMihi carissimus est.He is very dear to me.
- LuciusVidetur esse vir bonus.He seems to be a good man.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boyfriend” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
