What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of partenaire, meaning partner and amoureux, meaning in love or loving.
Which one should you use?
While partenaire amoureux is a direct translation, in everyday spoken French, people more commonly use petit ami or petite amie to describe a romantic partner. If you are referring to a legal or long-term domestic partner in a formal or administrative context, use conjoint or conjointe instead.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use compagnon or compagne to refer to a romantic partner. In informal settings, you might use mon/ma petit(e) ami(e) to mean my boyfriend or my girlfriend or the endearing expression mon/ma chéri(e) to mean my darling. In France, the informal and affectionate term mon/ma Jules is also used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the partner, so use the feminine form partenaire amoureuse if the partner is a woman.
Did you know?
- The term mon Jules is a slang way to refer to a boyfriend and dates back to the 19th century when Jules was a common name for working-class men.
- The French word partenaire was actually borrowed from the English word 'partner'.
- While 'romantic partner' sounds natural in English, saying partenaire amoureux in a French conversation can sound quite clinical or even like a translation from a manual.
Examples in context
- J'ai eu la chance de trouver un compagnon/compagne aimant(e) et attentionné(e).I have been fortunate to find a loving and caring romantic partner.
- Hier soir, mon chéri a préparé un délicieux dîner pour nous.Last night, my darling prepared a delicious dinner for us.
- Je suis allé(e) au cinéma avec mon petit ami/ma petite amie ce weekend.I went to the movies with my boyfriend/girlfriend this weekend.
- Je vais présenter ma compagne à mes collègues lors de la soirée de fin d'année.I am going to introduce my romantic partner to my colleagues at the end-of-year party.
- Mon chéri m'a offert un bouquet de roses pour notre anniversaire de rencontre.My darling gave me a bouquet of roses for our anniversary.
- Hier soir, mon petit ami et moi sommes allés au restaurant pour célébrer notre premier mois ensemble.Last night, my boyfriend and I went to a restaurant to celebrate our first month together.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are discussing their relationship goals.
- ManonQu'attends-tu d'un partenaire amoureux ?What do you expect from a romantic partner?
- HugoJe veux un partenaire amoureux honnête, Manon.I want an honest romantic partner, Manon.
- ManonC'est très important pour moi aussi.That is very important to me too.
- HugoOn a les mêmes valeurs, Hugo.We have the same values, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amoureux, partenaire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
