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
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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 Partner
partner
For a married person, both Partner and Ehepartner are possible. Partner refers to the relationship without explicitly stating the person’s marital status. Ehepartner, on the other hand, makes it clear that a marriage exists, so it is especially suitable when this status matters.
Ehepartner
Im Formular trägt Lea denselben Mann als ihren Ehepartner ein.
On the form, Lea lists the same man as her spouse.
Partner
Bei Freunden nennt Lea den Mann, mit dem sie verheiratet ist, ihren Partner.
When talking to friends, Lea calls the man she is married to her partner.
In real life
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