lover / enthusiast
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lover
A man who has a sexual and romantic relationship with a person who is often already in another committed relationship or marriage.
Die Affäre flog auf, als ihr Mann sie mit ihrem Liebhaber sah.
The affair came to light when her husband saw her with her lover.
enthusiast
A person who has a great passion or strong interest in a particular thing; a connoisseur or enthusiast.
Als Liebhaber alter Bücher verbringt er seine Wochenenden auf Flohmärkten.
As an enthusiast of old books, he spends his weekends at flea markets.
The word is made up of 'Liebe' (love) and a form of the verb 'haben' (to have). A 'Liebhaber' is therefore literally someone who 'has love'—either for a person or for a thing.
Er ist ein großer Liebhaber der italienischen Oper.
He is a great enthusiast of Italian opera.
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. If it is about an (often secret) romantic relationship, it means the partner in an affair. If it is about a hobby or passion, it means an enthusiast.
Sie hat ihren Mann wegen ihres Liebhabers verlassen.
She left her husband because of her lover.
In the meaning 'enthusiast', it is almost always specified what the person is enthusiastic about. This is usually done with the genitive or with the preposition 'von' + dative.
Mein Onkel ist ein Liebhaber alter Uhren.
My uncle is an enthusiast of old watches.
In the relationship sense, 'Liebhaber' (lover) is not a neutral word for 'Partner' or 'Freund' (boyfriend). It almost always implies a sexual affair, often with a person who is already married or in a committed relationship.
Die Presse deckte die Affäre des Politikers mit seiner langjährigen Liebhaberin auf.
The press uncovered the politician's affair with his longtime lover.
friend / boyfriend
Both „Freund“ and „Liebhaber“ can refer to a man in a romantic relationship. Freund is the normal term for a male partner, while Liebhaber emphasizes the sexual aspect more strongly and often suggests a relationship alongside a committed partnership or marriage. Use Freund for a normal relationship and Liebhaber when this particular emphasis is intended.
Sie hat ihrem Liebhaber erzählt, dass sie am Wochenende verreist, obwohl sie verheiratet ist.
She told her lover that she was going away for the weekend, even though she was married.
Sie hat ihrem Freund erzählt, dass sie am Wochenende verreist.
She told her boyfriend that she was going away for the weekend.
