恋人

The term "koibito" is the standard, formal word for a romantic partner. While it is grammatically correct in all situations, in actual daily conversation, native speakers—especially younger generations—rarely use "koibito" to refer to their own partner. Instead, they use "kareshi" (boyfriend) or "kanojo" (girlfriend).

Using "koibito" often carries a slightly more romantic, literary, or formal tone. It is frequently used in writing, songs, or when speaking about the general concept of a lover rather than a specific person in a casual setting.

In recent years, the loanword "pātonā" (partner) has become increasingly common. This is used not only to describe long-term committed relationships or common-law marriages but also as a gender-neutral term to be inclusive of diverse relationship structures, moving away from the binary "boyfriend/girlfriend" distinction.