Why would you call someone a partner instead of a girlfriend/boyfriend?

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

[SteveSmith1985]

It depends on the context. It also depends on whether you're talking about a case where someone is talking about THEIR girlfriend/boyfriend, or someone else's.

I'll find myself using "partner" (on GAG mostly). I'll use it when talking to someone else about their life/situation. Or if I'm talking in the abstract. I do it, when it's not clear that the person is straight. Like they haven't specified the gender they're talking about.

Or in the abstract, for a similar reason.

To avoid the default assumption that someone is straight. Or at least to be inclusive of the possibility they might not be.

I would never refer to my own girlfriend as "my partner"

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Why would you never refer your own girlfriend as your partner?

[SteveSmith1985]

Well maybe "never" was too strong. But I usually wouldn't. For a couple of reasons. First, sheer habbit. I've use the word "girlfriend" since I was a kid. "Partner" is a much more recent addition.
Second, I know the sex of my girlfriend, so there's no need to say partner. She's a girl. So..."girlfriend" just seems more accurate. Third, I do not think there is a girl in the world, who would want to be called someone's "partner" rather than "girlfriend/boyfriend."

So at least most of the time... I'm not going to use "partner" when talking about myself.

[Finchie40]

I only use the word partner when she is by my side living with me and we work as a team even though we aren’t married , So i consider her my partner instead of just my girlfriend. A girlfriend to me means we are committed to each other but we don’t live together and we both do separate things meaning she isn’t always by my side , we are just boyfriend and girlfriend that could potentially lead into her being my partner or wife if we end up moving on together , I do hear some people say she is my partner when they are just boyfriend and girlfriend and sometimes I will say oh you both live together? And if they say no they don’t , I just think then you aren’t partners’ you are just boyfriend and girlfriend so there isn’t really partnership whatsoever.

[DishLady]

Partner is the new neutral and in many ways it helps both the guy and the gal stand together as equals, both contributing to one another's happiness. Personally I like it more than "boyfriend/girlfriend" which imply a certain level of immaturity -- and is also VERY silly to say when you're my age and still referring to a "boy"/"girl" instead of a partner.

Partner implies maturity, stability and mutual care.

[Genie23]

Because after a certain age, it just feels bit weird. I stopped calling the guy I dated as boyfriends as I grew older. I'm a woman now, if I'm in a relationship with someone and I'm talking about him. so saying "My partner.." sounds much better than saying "My boyfriend is.."

[Leon1]

That example would only apply to boyfriend/girlfriend. If you’re married there’s nothing immature or weird about stating it.

[Genie23]

I was talking about people who aren't married yet. That would be strange if someone call their husband/wife as partner 😅

[AI Opinion]

As a relationship coach on Girls Ask Guys, I'm here to help you navigate the language of love! Using "partner" instead of "girlfriend" or "boyfriend" is more inclusive and can reflect a deeper commitment. It's a way to show equality and team spirit in a relationship. Plus, it sounds super classy and mature, like a secret agent duo ready to conquer the world! 🌎💑

[AviatorTom]

The word "partner" could mean several things: a spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, friends with benefits, same-sex partner.

If someone wants to keep their life totally private, "partner" helps do that.

It's also possible that the person may not think their partner considers themselves anything more than that, even tough the person does.

[OlderAndWiser]

I think the word "partner" has different connotations for different people. For me, partner sounds like something that is more important and more permanent.

[alli-112]

Mostly personal preference? Like some people feel that the term is more meaningful, while others find it to be a convient catchall for when a relationship doesn't necessarily follow the exact expectations that are associated with boyfriend/girlfriend titles. (Ex. you might call the person you're in a situation ship with a "partner" but you might also call like your spouse the same thing.)

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Because as @Genie23 said, when growing older, "society", through language, jargon and vocabulary spams this idea that we need words to convey a respectful image. New words to look more serious, more committed, more trustworthy or whatever term flatters our social image.

A Brit said something about the world and stages. Roles, titles. I find the content of the book more interesting than its title. Yes, I played the expected role once, I had a "partner". But after a while, I got tired of playing the game of words.

What's with my social image? For what? To impress a guy at the bank? A friend, a relative? Any of you? It isn't making sense to me. Not anymore. So I have a girlfriend, a lover, she means everything to me, and quite frankly, I think the guy at the bank has better things to do.

[Genie23]

There was no reason to tag me as that's not what I said. Me choosing to call him a partner has nothing to do with society image, lol.. I don't care how society sees me or my relationship. Never did. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I just don't want to call a grown up dude as my boyfriend. Just makes me cringe at the thought of calling 45 year old man or 54 year old man as boyfriend. I'm into men. I see men as men, not as boys.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Hehe I have seen many people, including myself, saying that they didn't care, instinctively, about their social image. Some of them meant it, some of them were presumptuous. I wouldn't know for sure where you belong and it's not an important question to me.

I just liked your discourse, it's not personal, it's just the notions you used that I found interesting because they can be played with, to reflect upon what we're doing, our certainties.

I don't feel cringe because I'm a man, a boy, a kid and a baby in a womb, just like I think of you and any people as a person, a teen, a kid and a baby in a womb. Because everything works together in how I see myself and the world around me. There's continuity in time I see, as nothing that you were or that I was has been terminated. But some of us really like to think of ourselves as only adults separated from what they have been, I just don't believe anymore in what I think is a convenient social and psychological masquerade

[Genie23]

If you knew me you'd understand I'm not like you or the kind of people who denies caring about their social image but you guys certainly care because I always do completely opposite of what society expects in my city and country to do. Just don't say my name and include me in your example as if you know me is all I'm saying.

You like what you like. I like what I like. It doesn't matter to me what people call their lovers. It's their life, their choice, their decision. I just don't like calling a grown ass man as my boyfriend. I feel repulsed. It's that simple. Have a good day.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Good day to you as well

[DonaldDarko]

Because you've been tricked into it just by seeing others do it. There is a sinister reason behind the spread of this term. It was invented by cultural Marxists as a way to normalize sexual disfunction, it is intended to broaden the terminology used to refer to sexual relationships to include homosexuality. In the no to distant past we used boyfriend, or girlfriend. We also did not use the term "they" unless we referred to more than one person. If you saw a car on the road you would think to yourself is he turning left or is he turning right? Now people use the asinine term "they". Are they turning left or are they turning right. The same reason cultural Marxist attempts to convert society into their sick dystopian vision of it. After all that car might be driven by a women or someone "non binary". The list of babyish an stupid reasons goes on and on. I just say he unless I know its a woman. None of that other shit exists.

[molonski2]

Its just a personal thing on my behalf but I strongly dislike the term " partner " , it seems from my land business when everyone would say " my partner " , never boyfriend /girlfriend
Which is what they really were.

Virtually all these " partners " would break up anyhow , whereas in my mind you have a girlfriend / boyfriend or husband/ wife

But , I think I'm on my own with this thought , I think of it as a giant wank.

[ProbablyClueless]

Um... I guess I might do that if I felt there was some reason that calling her my girlfriend was inaccurate.

It would probably need to be a more intimate relationship. As in, I'm calling her my partner because calling her my girlfriend wouldn't do our relationship justice.

[glennos89]

I think their are many ways how to call your boy/girlfriend and partner is being 1 of them. Other names are spouse, significant other, baby mommy/father, partner in crime.

To me its sound a little bit more mature when you call your loved one partner then calling them boy/girlfriend because thats sounds so childish

[Anonymous]

You’d have to ask them personally as I’m sure everyone would have a different reason.

from my perspective I believe “partner” is better suited for when a couple is together for a long time and haven’t got married, but they’re basically living a married life. They live together and most times already have kids. And refer to themselves as partners.

whereas boyfriend girlfriend usually still dating and don’t live together. If just recently moved in together.

[msc545]

You do this when you have a lover of the same gender as your own and want to convey this fact in a subtle way, OR when the same condition prevails but you unsure at all as to how to refer to them, OR when the person is actually just your business partner.

[NordicInScandinavia]

Because my partner is not a boy but a man and I'm a woman not a girl.

I'll use the word "kæreste", or "Kærasti" when speaking to family, but I'll be caught dead before I call my man boyfriend.

[DryGermanGuy]

That's one step above of the "simple" girlfriend.

[Cormac995]

Because you're starting to get serious. To me that's a massive green flag the relationship is healthy and likely going somewhere if it keeps up.

[Geo1970]

I know that this sounds rather silly but the majority of younger individuals tend to call their partners, Note that word partner, Boyfriend or girlfriend.


There as, someone of a slightly older age would be more inclined to refer to them as partners.

[Screenwriter]

A partner would be life a wife or husband: someone you are and will be involved with for the long run.

[RingOfFire]

Because "partner" is the dumbed down generic fantasy word that fits the politically correct narrative that there is no difference between males and females and nothing wrong with same gender romances. If you want to do humanity a favor don't use terms like partner and continue to use boyfriend and girlfriend no matter how much the anti-civilization political speech Nazis try to force you to do otherwise.

[genericname85]

to me, i girlfriend/boyfriend is a bit immature or let's say maybe early stage relationship. partner is more mature and more late stage relationship. also you would use it in a professional environment cause theoretically, it's nobodies business whether you have a male or female partner and just calling them "partner" doesn't give it away.

[fish5505_87]

Ok, Im old, I Guess? Partner used to mean same sex relationship, now the same as boyfriend and girlfriend. I do not see it used in person as much where I live, but definitely online. I also see it a lot now between couples who do not wish to marry but are together for a long time.

[exitseven]

Shakespeare said What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet."

[alice55]

surely becuase boyfriend / girlfriend sound childish

[D_Bone_Steak]

The first time I heard it, I didn't think anything of it until my wife told me she thinks the dude is gay. I was like "ooooooh, "partner"... riiiiiiiiight." Not really a thing I care about, but I guess that's a reason.

[CaptainSmartass]

Because calling them your boyfriend or girlfriend sounds like you're still in school, snogging each other behind the bike sheds.

Simples...

[MikeTheBartender]

I have business partners, girlfriend I prefer to say girlfriend

[Joshydavid25]

I don't... I don't know why but I never really cared for the term "partner".. I prefer the term "Significant other" or I'll just call her "my girl".. Until she's my wife..

[EzraIsShy76028]

I would assume because "partner" sounds more formal and "girlfriend/boyfriend" sounds more informal. Which one is better to use might depend on occasion.

[NoDecision]

If you were Square Dancing? You say "Swing your partner..." not "Swing your girlfriend..." But these days you ask another couple if they Swing. 😂

[bddddd]

It's normally meant as a sign of attachment. More than a girlfriend, less than a wife.

[soe11]

• I called "my other half" " sweet heart"

[slatyb]

Partner is more specific, and generally implies that the couple are cohabiting. Girlfriend/boyfriend means someone we are seeing frequently but you may live separately.

[WhitneySnow]

Some people who lean toward progressive politics use partner because it’s gender neutral. Also, it sounds more adult. I use partner and boyfriend interchangeably.

[Shiprex]

They don't see the gender as being important to mention they are a unit rather than a gendered (the conventional "roles" may be something of a touchy subject for some) construct.

[BCRanger10]

Personally, I only use the term "partner" when I'm here because it's less of a mouthful than "boyfriend or girlfriend".

[Jeff51]

Isn't partner is when your married? I think that's why.

[Billlewis]

Because they're trying to be politically correct.

[HelpfulGirlll]

To emphasize collaboration and shared goals beyond romance.

[Anonymous]

I say boyfriend.

Partner is too formal or normally what lgbtq+ people say.

Partner in my country also means lawyer and working in a law firm can get confusing.

You don't know if they're a lawyer or your boyfriend. Lol..

[Staximus]

I wouldn't. A partner is somebody you work or do business with.

[Staximus]

Somebody you go on patrol with, herd cows with, run a business with, etc

[Staximus]

But I think you are overthinking again, crazy leg

[Anonymous]

If someone says their partner I'd assume gay or lesbian

[blackeagle007]

I prefer companion. The girlfriend/boyfriend is more the adolescent generation

[beefcakebradybatson]

They and you equally shares the other's life and body.

[BlueJeanBaby07]

Possible they aren’t in Boyfriend/Girlfriend territory. But they are heading that way.

[Ariesman81]

A partner is seen as an equal

[blueonblack22]

It’s woke semantics if you ask me.

[Anonymous]

I guess it's about equality.

[Anonymous]

because partner sounds more neutral

[dustybiker2]

It sounds better.

[andreasderjuengere]

Partner sounds more committed to me.

[TheLovelyWoman]

Just for sex purposes.

[DrPepper12]

I don't know.

[SotiCoto]

Because it is more equal. Less demeaning.

[AndrésC64]

That's a good question.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

I won't do that. Sounds gay af.

[RedInnocent69]

You’re woke and don’t want to be gender specific

[hello4433]

Cause it's the sane thing

[robocop666]

they live together

[Hoozere]

I wouldn't LOL. That's so weird to me

[Anonymous]

the day you find a boyfriend you’ll see

[jazzy34]

Preference.

[Cherrysherrylady]

They are a partner

[wkhan_87]

Business partner