01
der Ehepartner
spouse
The person one is married to; the husband or wife. It is a gender-neutral term.
example
Bei der Steuererklärung müssen beide Ehepartner unterschreiben.
Both spouses must sign the tax return.
der Ehepartner
spouse
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Ehe' (marriage) and 'Partner' (partner). So it literally describes a 'partner in marriage.'
EXAMPLE
Ihr Ehepartner hat sie am Bahnhof abgeholt.
Her spouse picked her up at the train station.
Register and style
'Ehepartner' (spouse) is a neutral and rather formal term. It is often found in official documents, forms, and legal language.
EXAMPLE
Bitte geben Sie hier den Namen Ihres Ehepartners an.
Please enter the name of your spouse here.
Gender-neutral use
'Der Ehepartner' (the spouse) is often used as a gender-neutral umbrella term for husband or wife. So a person can say 'mein Ehepartner' (my spouse), regardless of whether they are talking about their husband or wife.
EXAMPLE
Mein Ehepartner und ich teilen uns die Hausarbeit.
My spouse and I share the housework.
Compare with
Ehepartner vs Hälfte
half
'die bessere Hälfte' (better half) and 'der Ehepartner' can both refer to the person someone is married to. The difference is mainly in tone. 'der Ehepartner' is neutral and precise; it is used, for example, in forms, at government offices, or in factual conversations. 'die bessere Hälfte' is informal and often humorous. It sounds more personal and relaxed. In official situations, 'Ehepartner' fits better; in everyday life, 'meine bessere Hälfte' (my better half) can sound friendly or joking.
Ehepartner
Auf dem Formular muss auch der Ehepartner unterschreiben.
The spouse also has to sign the form.
Hälfte
Nach der Arbeit bin ich mit meiner besseren Hälfte essen gegangen.
After work, I went out to eat with my better half.
In real life
Loading video examples...