前男友
qián nán yǒu
The English phrase "ex-boyfriend" is translated into Chinese as 前男友 (qián nán yǒu).
前男友 is used specifically to refer to a man who was previously in a romantic relationship with someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 前 (qián) meaning 'former' and 男友 (nányǒu) meaning 'boyfriend'.
Which one should you use?
While 前男友 specifically refers to a male ex-partner, you can use the term 前任 (qiánrèn) as a gender-neutral way to refer to an ex-partner or even a predecessor in a position.
How do you pronounce it?
qián nán yǒu
Did you know?
- In internet slang, a particularly untrustworthy 前男友 is called a 渣男, which literally translates to 'scum man'.
- The term 前任 is used for both a former romantic partner and a professional predecessor, such as a former CEO.
- In many Chinese internet slang contexts, rather than using the formal 前男友, people might simply refer to an ex as 那个人 (nà ge rén), meaning 'that person', to signal a desire to distance themselves emotionally.
Examples in context
- 我跟我的前男友分手了I broke up with my ex-boyfriend.
- 我和我前任分手后，感觉自由了After breaking up with my ex-boyfriend, I feel free.
- 我跟我的前男友约好了明天见面I have made plans to meet up with my ex-boyfriend tomorrow.
- 我已经忘了我的前男友I have already forgotten about my ex-boyfriend.
- 对我来说，我的前男友是一个重要的人To me, my ex-boyfriend is an important person.
- 他是我的前男友。Tā shì wǒ de qián nányǒu.He is my ex-boyfriend.
- 我不想见到她的前男友。Wǒ bù xiǎng jiàn dào tā de qián nányǒu.I don't want to see her ex-boyfriend.
- 她的前男友是个好人。Tā de qián nányǒu shì gè hǎorén.Her ex-boyfriend is a good person.
Example conversation
Jia Yi and Jun Jie are talking about a girl's breakup.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那个男生是她的前男友吗？Nàge nánshēng shì tā de qián nányǒu ma?Is that guy her ex-boyfriend?
- 俊杰 Junjie对，他就是她的前男友。Duì, tā jiùshì tā de qián nányǒu.Yes, he is her ex-boyfriend.
- 佳怡 Jiayi他们现在还联系吗？Tāmen xiànzài hái liánxì ma?Are they still in contact?
- 俊杰 Junjie不，他们已经没联系了。Bù, tāmen yǐjīng méi liánxì le.No, they are no longer in contact.
