Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'partner' carries a significant weight in our vocabulary, denoting a relationship of collaboration, support, and shared goals. Whether in business, personal relationships, or dance floors, partners are essential allies who help us navigate the world and achieve our objectives. The cultural importance of partners is evident in various traditions and practices worldwide, such as the Igbo people of Nigeria's 'Igba Eze' marriage ceremony, where the bride and groom drink from the same cup to symbolize their union as partners.
Given the global prevalence of partnerships, it's no surprise that the word 'partner' has been translated into various languages, each with its unique connotations and cultural nuances. For instance, in Spanish, 'partner' translates to 'socio,' which also means 'ally' or 'associate.' Meanwhile, in French, 'partner' becomes 'associé(e),' which shares roots with the English word 'association.'
Discovering the translations of 'partner' in different languages can offer valuable insights into the cultural significance of partnerships worldwide. Below, we've compiled a list of 'partner' translations in various languages to help you expand your linguistic and cultural horizons.
Afrikaans | maat | ||
The Afrikaans word 'maat' originates from the Dutch word 'maat', which means 'friend', and is also related to the English word 'mate'. | |||
Amharic | አጋር | ||
The word "አጋር" in Amharic can also refer to a spouse, close friend, or business associate. | |||
Hausa | abokin tarayya | ||
"Abokin tarayya" derives from "aboki" (friend) and "tarayya" (help), implying a comrade who provides assistance. | |||
Igbo | onye gi | ||
The word "onye gi" means "your partner" and is also used to mean "your mate" or "your spouse". | |||
Malagasy | mpiara-miasa | ||
The word "mpiara-miasa" in Malagasy can also mean "helper" or "assistant". | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | mnzake | ||
The word 'mnazake' is also used to mean 'companion' or 'associate', and is derived from the verb 'ku-naza', meaning 'to stay with' or 'to associate with'. | |||
Shona | mumwe wako | ||
Mumwe wako's original literal meaning in Shona is 'one of your own', but it is now used as a general term for 'partner'. | |||
Somali | lammaane | ||
The word "lammaane" is used in Somali to describe a partnership or an alliance, and can also refer to a close friend or confidant. | |||
Sesotho | molekane | ||
Molekane's literal translation is "half of something," emphasizing a person's equal status in the partnership. | |||
Swahili | mwenzio | ||
The word "mwenzio" in Swahili can also refer to a friend, comrade, or associate. | |||
Xhosa | iqabane | ||
The Xhosa word 'iqabane' is derived from the verb 'quba', meaning 'to accompany', and may also refer to a spouse or marriage partner. | |||
Yoruba | alabaṣiṣẹpọ | ||
Alá-bà-ṣiṣé-pọ is an agglomeration of four Yoruba words 'alá' (owner), 'bà' (person), 'ṣiṣé' (work), and 'pọ̀' (together), thus, 'partner' is an 'owner-who-works-with-you'. | |||
Zulu | umlingani | ||
The word 'umlingani' can also mean 'a person who is equal to another in status or ability'. | |||
Bambara | jɛɲɔgɔn | ||
Ewe | hati | ||
Kinyarwanda | umufatanyabikorwa | ||
Lingala | moninga | ||
Luganda | munno | ||
Sepedi | molekane | ||
Twi (Akan) | hokani | ||
Arabic | شريك | ||
The word "شريك" can also mean "participant" or "associate". | |||
Hebrew | בת זוג | ||
The Hebrew word בת זוג means 'partner' literally as 'daughter of pair,' a reference to the biblical creation of woman from the rib taken from Adam's side | |||
Pashto | ملګری | ||
The word "ملګری" in Pashto can also mean "friend" or "comrade". | |||
Arabic | شريك | ||
The word "شريك" can also mean "participant" or "associate". |
Albanian | partneri | ||
While deriving from the Italian "partner," the Albanian "partneri" can refer to one's spouse | |||
Basque | bikotekidea | ||
Basque **bikotekidea** is a compound of **bidean** ('on/along the path') and **oteko** ('companion'). | |||
Catalan | soci | ||
The term "soci" may also refer to a member of a company or a comrade in a political party in Catalan. | |||
Croatian | partner | ||
"Partner" is an English loanword in Croatian and a synonym for "husband" or "wife". | |||
Danish | partner | ||
In Danish, "partner" also refers to a dance partner, especially in square dancing. | |||
Dutch | partner | ||
The Dutch word 'partner' can also refer to a horse or (in plural) a pair of horses, or to a dance partner. | |||
English | partner | ||
Partner, in the legal sense, refers to a business relationship as opposed to a romantic one. | |||
French | partenaire | ||
"Partenaire" is derived from the Latin word "partiri," meaning "to share" or "to divide," reflecting the sense of partnership as a shared journey or undertaking. | |||
Frisian | kompanjon | ||
The word 'kompanjon' can also mean 'cobbler' in Frisian. | |||
Galician | compañeiro | ||
The Galician word "compañeiro" is derived from the Latin "companiō", meaning "companion" or "comrade". | |||
German | partner | ||
Besides its meaning as "partner", the word "Partner" can also mean "stud" or "dance partner" in German. | |||
Icelandic | félagi | ||
The word félagi in Icelandic can also mean 'association' or 'cooperation'. | |||
Irish | pháirtí | ||
Italian | compagno | ||
The term "compagno" comes from the Late Latin word "companio", meaning "bread-mate". | |||
Luxembourgish | partner | ||
The word "Partner" in Luxembourgish can also refer to a "spouse" or a "business associate". | |||
Maltese | sieħeb | ||
The word "sieħeb" may also mean "colleague" or "friend" in Maltese, and is cognate with the Arabic word "ṣaḥīb". | |||
Norwegian | samboer | ||
The word "samboer" derives from the Old Norse "sambuá", meaning "to live together" or "to share a household." | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | parceiro | ||
In Portuguese, "parceiro" can also refer to a friend, a peer, or a colleague, and comes from the Latin word "par" meaning equal. | |||
Scots Gaelic | com-pàirtiche | ||
The word 'com-pàirtiche' in Scots Gaelic, meaning 'partner', is composed of the elements 'comh' (meaning 'together, with') and 'pàirtiche' (meaning 'part, share'). | |||
Spanish | compañero | ||
Originally, 'compañero' (companion) also meant 'field worker sharing bread' in Latin America | |||
Swedish | partner | ||
The Swedish word "partner" derives from the French word "partenaire" and originally meant "dance partner". | |||
Welsh | partner | ||
"Partner" in Welsh means many kinds of partners including friend, lover or business associate |
Belarusian | партнёр | ||
The word "партнёр" comes from the German word "Partner", which originally meant "dance partner". | |||
Bosnian | partner | ||
The word 'partner' is derived from the Late Latin word 'partire', meaning 'to divide' or 'to share'. | |||
Bulgarian | партньор | ||
The word "партньор" ultimately derives from the Latin word "pars" (meaning "part"), and can also refer to an accomplice or associate in Bulgarian. | |||
Czech | partner | ||
In Czech, "partner" can also refer to a business associate or a dance companion. | |||
Estonian | partner | ||
The Estonian word "partner" can also refer to a spouse or companion. | |||
Finnish | kumppani | ||
The word "kumppani" originally referred to a companion or friend, and later came to mean "partner" in a business or romantic sense. | |||
Hungarian | partner | ||
The Hungarian word "partner" can also mean "dancer" or "business associate." | |||
Latvian | partneris | ||
The word “partneris” in Latvian also means an accomplice or associate in crime or wrongdoing. | |||
Lithuanian | partneris | ||
The word "partneris" comes from the German word "Partner" which in turn originates from the Latin word "pars". | |||
Macedonian | партнер | ||
The word "партнер" can also refer to the male partner in a dance or the player on the other team in a game. | |||
Polish | partner | ||
The word "partner" can also refer to a dance partner or a business associate. | |||
Romanian | partener | ||
In Romanian, "partener" also refers to a game of cards, similar to the English game "rummy". | |||
Russian | партнер | ||
"Партнер" comes from the French word "partenaire" which originally meant "one who shares". In Russian, it can also refer to a person in a romantic relationship. | |||
Serbian | партнер | ||
Besides the main meaning "partner", the word "партнер" also means "co-producer", "performer", "participant" in Serbian. | |||
Slovak | partner | ||
The Slovak word "partner" can also refer to a dance partner or a business associate. | |||
Slovenian | partner | ||
The word "partner" in Slovenian can also refer to a dance partner or a business associate. | |||
Ukrainian | партнер | ||
The word "партнер" in Ukrainian also has the meaning of "husband" or "wife". |
Bengali | অংশীদার | ||
The term "অংশীদার" also refers to a shareholder, participant or accomplice. | |||
Gujarati | જીવનસાથી | ||
'જીવનસાથી' is a Gujarati word meaning 'partner' and is derived from the Sanskrit word 'jīvana' (life) and 'satha' (companion). In Gujarati, it is also used to refer to one's spouse or significant other. | |||
Hindi | साथी | ||
The word 'साथी' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'सह' (saha), meaning 'together' or 'with'. | |||
Kannada | ಪಾಲುದಾರ | ||
ಪಾಲುದಾರ is derived from the word 'ಪಾಲು' meaning 'share' and 'ದಾರ' meaning 'holder' or 'owner'. It refers to someone who shares a business or property with another person. | |||
Malayalam | പങ്കാളി | ||
The word 'പങ്കാളി' can also mean 'spouse' or 'owner of a business'. | |||
Marathi | भागीदार | ||
The word "भागीदार" can also mean "associate" or "accomplice" in Marathi. | |||
Nepali | साथी | ||
The word "साथी" in Nepalese can also mean "friend" or "companion". | |||
Punjabi | ਸਾਥੀ | ||
The word "ਸਾਥੀ" can also mean "companion", "comrade", "ally", or "associate" in Punjabi. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සහකරු | ||
සහකරු is derived from the Sanskrit word sahakāri, meaning one who works with others | |||
Tamil | கூட்டாளர் | ||
The word 'கூட்டாளர்' in Tamil can also refer to an associate, participant, or accomplice. | |||
Telugu | భాగస్వామి | ||
The word "భాగస్వామി" is derived from the Sanskrit word "भागः" (part) and "स्वामि" (owner, lord), and can also refer to a shareholder or an associate. | |||
Urdu | پارٹنر | ||
پارٹنر means both partner and a share, and is cognate with the English word "part". |
Chinese (Simplified) | 伙伴 | ||
The word 伙伴 (huǒban), which literally means “companion” or “friend”, can also refer to a fellow student, a colleague, or a partner in a business or marriage. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 夥伴 | ||
夥伴 means 'friend' or 'companion' in Japanese. | |||
Japanese | 相棒 | ||
相棒 literally means "person who waits with you," with the kanji 相 meaning "mutually" and 棒 referring to a stick often carried by travelers for support. | |||
Korean | 파트너 | ||
파트너 is derived from the English word partner, but in Korean it can refer to a wide range of relationships, including romantic partners, business partners, and even friends. | |||
Mongolian | түнш | ||
'Түнш' can also refer to marital partners or close friends. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | လုပ်ဖော်ကိုင်ဖက် | ||
Indonesian | pasangan | ||
In Javanese, "pasangan" can also mean "spouse". | |||
Javanese | mitra | ||
The Javanese word "mitra" also means "sun" or "moon" depending on the context. | |||
Khmer | ដៃគូ | ||
The Khmer word ដៃគូ (dai kou) literally means "joined hands" and can refer to a business partner, spouse, or close friend. | |||
Lao | ຄູ່ຮ່ວມງານ | ||
Malay | rakan kongsi | ||
The word "rakan kongsi" is derived from the Arabic word "rakin", meaning "tie" or "bond", and the Chinese word "kongsi", meaning "company" or "association". | |||
Thai | พันธมิตร | ||
The Thai word "พันธมิตร" (partner) is derived from the Sanskrit word "bandha" (bond) and "mittra" (friend). | |||
Vietnamese | cộng sự | ||
The word "cộng sự" also means "associate" or "colleague" in Vietnamese. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | partner | ||
Azerbaijani | ortaq | ||
In Azerbaijani, "ortaq" can also refer to a person's best friend, companion, or confidant. | |||
Kazakh | серіктес | ||
The word "серіктес" (partner) in Kazakh is etymologically related to the word "серік" (companion), ultimately derived from the Proto-Turkic word "*serik" with the same meaning. | |||
Kyrgyz | өнөктөш | ||
"Өнөктөш" comes from the verb "өнөктө-" which means "to accompany" or "to keep company with someone."} | |||
Tajik | шарик | ||
'Шарик' also means 'balloon' and 'sphere' in Russian, as well as 'little ball' and 'bullet' | |||
Turkmen | hyzmatdaş | ||
Uzbek | sherik | ||
"Sherik" is derived from the Persian word "shirik" which means "participant" and can also refer to a "companion" or "associate". | |||
Uyghur | شېرىك | ||
Hawaiian | hoa hana | ||
Hoa hana literally means 'work companion' in Hawaiian. | |||
Maori | hoa | ||
The word "hoa" can also refer to a group of friends or a family, emphasizing the collective aspect of partnership. | |||
Samoan | paʻaga | ||
The term "paʻaga" is derived from "faa" (two) and "aga" (to be united), implying a strong bond of companionship. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | kasosyo | ||
The word "kasosyo" in Tagalog is derived from the Spanish word "socio," which comes from the Latin word "socius," meaning "companion" or "ally." |
Aymara | q'añu | ||
Guarani | irũ | ||
Esperanto | partnero | ||
The word 'partnero' comes from the English word 'partner', which itself comes from the Old French word 'partenaire'. | |||
Latin | socium | ||
The word "socium" can also mean "ally" or "confederate" in Latin. |
Greek | εταίρος | ||
The word 'εταίρος' (etairos) has an alternate meaning of 'companion', reflecting its use as a term of endearment between male friends in ancient Greece. | |||
Hmong | tus khub | ||
The word "tus khub" in Hmong also means "a person who is like a sibling or a close friend." | |||
Kurdish | dost | ||
The Kurdish word "dost" is cognate with the Persian word "dust", which also means "friend" or "comrade". | |||
Turkish | ortak | ||
"Ortak" also means "common" or "shared". | |||
Xhosa | iqabane | ||
The Xhosa word 'iqabane' is derived from the verb 'quba', meaning 'to accompany', and may also refer to a spouse or marriage partner. | |||
Yiddish | שוטעף | ||
The Yiddish word "שוטעף" can also refer to a swindler or cheat. | |||
Zulu | umlingani | ||
The word 'umlingani' can also mean 'a person who is equal to another in status or ability'. | |||
Assamese | সংগী | ||
Aymara | q'añu | ||
Bhojpuri | संगी | ||
Dhivehi | ބައިވެރިޔާ | ||
Dogri | भ्गाल | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | partner | ||
Guarani | irũ | ||
Ilocano | kaasmang | ||
Krio | patna | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | هاوبەش | ||
Maithili | साझेदार | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯈꯣꯡꯂꯣꯏ | ||
Mizo | kawppui | ||
Oromo | miiltoo | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ସାଥୀ | ||
Quechua | masi | ||
Sanskrit | महभागी | ||
Tatar | партнер | ||
Tigrinya | መሳርሕቲ | ||
Tsonga | mutirhisani | ||