Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 애인 | aein | [ˈɛ(ː)in] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈe̞(ː)in] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 반려자 | ballyeoja | [ˈpa̠(ː)ʎʎʌ̹d͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
For a romantic partner or someone you are dating, use 애인. If you are talking about a professional or business partner, use terms like 동료 for a colleague, 협력자 for a collaborator or 비즈니스 파트너 for a formal business relationship. For a more general or informal way to describe someone you are with, you can use 함께하는 사람 or simply the loanword 파트너.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 반려자 is composed of 반려, meaning companion or partner and 자, meaning person, so it literally means 'companion person'.
Which one should you use?
애인 is used for romantic partners such as a lover, boyfriend or girlfriend. In contrast, 반려자 is a more profound term that implies a life partner or spouse. For professional contexts, use 동료 (colleague), 협력자 (collaborator) or 비즈니스 파트너 (business partner).
How do you pronounce it?
aein
Did you know?
- In modern Korean youth slang, the term 썸 is used for a 'partner' in the pre-dating phase, describing a relationship that is more than friends but not yet an 애인.
- The word 반려 in 반려자 is also found in the phrase 반려동물, which is the standard word for 'companion animal' or 'pet'.
- While 애인 means 'lover' in South Korea, in China the same characters 愛人 are commonly used to refer specifically to one's legal spouse.
Examples in context
- 저의 동료와 함께 프로젝트를 완료했습니다.I completed the project with my colleague.
- 우리는 협력자로서 훌륭한 결과를 얻었습니다.We achieved excellent results as collaborators.
- 우리 회사의 비즈니스 파트너는 정말 믿을 수 있어요.Our company's business partner is really trustworthy.
- 그는 저의 친구이자 동료입니다.He is both my friend and colleague.
- 그녀는 제가 함께하는 사람이 되어줬어요.She became the person I am with.
- 나는 그녀를 나의 파트너로 생각해요.I consider her my partner.
- 그는 지금 애인이 있어요.geuneun jigeum aeini isseoyo.He has a lover/partner right now.
- 새로운 애인을 만났어요?saeroun aeineul mannasseoyo?Did you meet a new partner?
- 제 애인을 소개할게요.je aeineul sogaehalgeyo.I will introduce my partner.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are talking about their dating lives at a cafe.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 혹시 애인 있어요?Minjun ssi, hoksi aein isseoyo?Minjun, do you happen to have a partner?
- 민준 Min-jun아니요, 지금은 없어요.Aniyo, jigeumeun eopseoyo.No, I don't have one right now.
- 민지 Min-ji멋진 애인을 금방 만날 거예요.Meotjin aeineul geumbang mannal geoyeyo.You will meet a wonderful partner soon.
- 민준 Min-jun고마워요, 민지 씨.Gomawoyo, Minji ssi.Thank you, Minji.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “partner” translations and entries 애인, 반려자, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 반려자, 애인, CC BY-SA 4.0.
