die Gefährtin
companion
A female person who accompanies someone on a path, during an undertaking, or through a stage of life.
EXAMPLE
Sie war ihm auf all seinen Reisen eine treue Gefährtin.
She was a loyal companion to him on all his journeys.
die Gefährtin
companion / partner
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Meanings
die Gefährtin
partner
A female partner in a committed, usually long-term romantic relationship; a life partner.
EXAMPLE
Nach zwanzig gemeinsamen Jahren nannte er sie nicht mehr nur seine Freundin, sondern seine Gefährtin.
After twenty years together, he no longer called her just his girlfriend, but his partner.
Usage tips
Word family
The word belongs to the word family of 'fahren' (to drive/travel). A 'Gefährtin' (female companion) was originally someone who shares a 'Fahrt' (journey/trip) or a path with you. This idea of a shared path is present in both meanings.
EXAMPLE
Sie war seine Gefährtin auf der langen Wanderung durch die Alpen.
She was his companion on the long hike through the Alps.
Style and register
'Gefährtin' (female companion/partner) is a rather elevated and sometimes slightly poetic word. It expresses a deep and lasting connection.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Rede dankte er seiner Gefährtin für die jahrelange Unterstützung.
In his speech, he thanked his partner for years of support.
Context clue
When a companion for a specific activity is meant, this is often made clear by a preposition, e.g. 'Gefährtin auf seinen Reisen' (companion on his travels) or 'Gefährtin im Abenteuer' (companion in adventure).
EXAMPLE
Die Hündin war dem alten Mann eine treue Gefährtin bei seinen Spaziergängen.
The dog was a loyal companion to the old man on his walks.
Typical collocation
In the meaning 'life partner', the adjective 'treu' (loyal/faithful) is often used ('eine treue Gefährtin' — a loyal partner). A very common and clear form is also the compound word 'Lebensgefährtin' (female life partner).
EXAMPLE
Er stellte sie allen als seine Lebensgefährtin vor.
He introduced her to everyone as his life partner.
Compare with
Gefährtin vs Mädchen
girl
Both words can refer to a female partner. Gefährtin emphasizes a committed, usually long-term relationship and the life shared by the couple. Mädchen is rare and old-fashioned in this sense; it emphasizes the speaker’s personal perspective more strongly and is more likely to appear in older texts.
Gefährtin
Nach vielen gemeinsamen Jahren bezeichnet er Anna als seine Gefährtin.
After many years together, he refers to Anna as his partner.
Mädchen
In einem alten Brief bezeichnet er Anna liebevoll als sein Mädchen.
In an old letter, he affectionately refers to Anna as his girl.
In real life
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