life partner
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life partner
A person with whom one has a stable, long-term, marriage-like relationship, regardless of gender or marital status.
Sie zog für ihren neuen Job in eine andere Stadt, aber ihr Lebenspartner wird bald nachkommen.
She moved to another city for her new job, but her life partner will join her soon.
The word is made up of 'das Leben' (life) and 'der Partner' (partner), connected by a linking -s. So it literally refers to a partner for life.
Er ist nicht nur mein Mann, er ist mein Lebenspartner und bester Freund.
He is not just my husband; he is my life partner and best friend.
The meaning depends strongly on the context. In everyday conversations, it usually means a partner for life. In legal or historical discussions about German law, it can refer to the now-defunct 'eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft' (registered civil partnership).
Ich fahre mit meinem Lebenspartner in den Urlaub.
I am going on vacation with my life partner.
'Lebenspartner' (life partner) is a neutral and often somewhat more formal term. It emphasizes the seriousness and permanence of a relationship without naming marital status (married or not), and it is inclusive of all genders and couple constellations.
Auf dem Formular musste sie den Namen ihres Lebenspartners angeben.
On the form, she had to provide the name of her life partner.
This specific meaning is a legal term from Germany. It referred to a person in an 'eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft' (registered civil partnership), which provided legal protection for same-sex couples before the introduction of 'Ehe für alle' (marriage for all) in 2017.
Mein Onkel und sein Lebenspartner waren eines der ersten Paare, die ihre Partnerschaft eintragen ließen.
My uncle and his registered partner were one of the first couples to have their partnership registered.
man
'der Mann' and 'der Lebenspartner' can both refer to a person's steady partner. In this context, 'Mann' usually means husband or steady male partner. 'Lebenspartner' emphasizes a stable, long-term relationship and is not necessarily tied to marriage. In some official contexts, it can also have a legal meaning. The words can be confused because both talk about a close relationship. If marriage is clearly meant, 'Mann' is very natural. If the type of relationship is open or the people are not married, 'Lebenspartner' is a better fit.
Bei der Anmeldung trägt Mehmet seinen Lebenspartner als Kontaktperson ein.
On the registration form, Mehmet lists his life partner as the contact person.
Am Abend sagt Anna, dass ihr Mann morgen später nach Hause kommt.
In the evening, Anna says that her husband will come home later tomorrow.