How to Say "My Boyfriend" in Japanese

彼氏

kareshi[ka̠ɾe̞ɕi]

The Japanese phrase for "my boyfriend" is 彼氏 (kareshi).

彼氏 is specifically used to denote a romantic partner and is the standard way to refer to a boyfriend in casual and semi-formal conversation.

Which one should you use?

While 彼 can mean 'he', it is also used as a more formal or literary way to say 'boyfriend' compared to the more common 彼氏.

kareshi

The word 彼 originally meant 'that person over there' and was gender-neutral for centuries. It only began to specifically mean 'he' or 'boyfriend' during the Meiji era to match Western grammar.
The word 彼氏 contains the character 氏, which is a suffix often used in much more formal contexts to denote a person of high status or a person being discussed with great respect.
In Japanese, people often avoid saying 'my' when using 彼氏 because the context makes ownership obvious. Saying 私の彼氏 can sometimes sound overly possessive or unnatural.

トムは私の彼氏だったの。
Tom was my boyfriend.
This sentence shows how to use the form 彼氏 to describe a past relationship.
Tatoeba #8936944 by bunbuku, translation #2646828 by CK
彼は彼氏でも何でもないのよ。
He's not my boyfriend, or anything.
This sentence uses 彼氏 to deny a romantic relationship.
Tatoeba #8613605 by small_snow, translation #8613595 by Hybrid
私の彼氏、私より随分年下なの。
My boyfriend is quite a bit younger than I am.
This sentence uses 彼氏 to talk about a boyfriend's age.
Tatoeba #10225045 by small_snow, translation #8403578 by CK
私の彼氏はとても優しいです。
My boyfriend is very kind.
昨日、彼氏と映画を見に行ったよ。
Yesterday, I went to see a movie with my boyfriend.
ボーイフレンドがプレゼントをくれた！
My boyfriend gave me a present!
31 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yui is introducing her boyfriend to her friend Kenta.

結衣 Yui

こちら、私の彼氏です。
Kochira, watashi no kareshi desu.
This is my boyfriend.
健太 Kenta

はじめまして。よろしくお願いします。
Hajimemashite. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Nice to meet you. Pleased to meet you.
結衣 Yui

彼氏は料理が得意なんです。
Kareshi wa ryōri ga tokui nan desu.
My boyfriend is good at cooking.
健太 Kenta

それはすごいですね！
Sore wa sugoi desu ne!
That's amazing!

Sources

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