pareja
/pah-REH-hah/
partner
Use pareja to refer to a life partner or significant other.
pareja(noun)
partner
?Life partner, significant other (gender-neutral)
,couple
?Two people in a relationship
mate
?Dance partner, game partner
📝 In Action
Mi pareja y yo vamos a adoptar un perro.
A1My partner and I are going to adopt a dog.
Ellos son una pareja muy divertida.
A2They are a very fun couple.
¿Quién es tu pareja de baile?
B1Who is your dance partner?
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even if the person you are referring to is male, the word 'pareja' is always feminine: 'El es mi pareja' (He is my partner).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using Masculine Article
Mistake: "El pareja"
Correction: La pareja. Remember that the word itself determines the article, not the gender of the person.
⭐ Usage Tips
High Versatility
Use 'pareja' when you want to be neutral about gender, marital status, or the seriousness of the relationship. It works for everyone.
Pareja can also mean a set of two matching items, like a pair of socks.
📝 In Action
No encuentro la otra pareja del calcetín.
A2I can't find the other sock (of the pair).
Formaremos parejas para el ejercicio.
B1We will form pairs for the exercise.
💡 Grammar Points
Pareja vs. Par
Both mean 'pair'. 'Par' (masculine) is generally used when talking about exact quantities (e.g., three pairs of shoes: 'tres pares de zapatos'). 'Pareja' (feminine) is often used when emphasizing the match or coupling (e.g., dance partners, or a specific matching item).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Pareja' for Even Numbers
Mistake: "Este número es pareja."
Correction: Use 'par' for the adjective 'even': 'Este número es par.' ('This number is even.')
⭐ Usage Tips
People or Objects
'Pareja' is safer to use when referring to groups of two people (e.g., study partners or dance partners), while 'par' is more common for objects like socks or gloves.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pareja
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'pareja' to mean a set of objects?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'pareja' and 'par'?
'Par' (masculine) is usually reserved for the exact number two or for items like shoes and socks ('un par de calcetines'). 'Pareja' (feminine) is more often used for couples, whether romantic or functional (dance partners), and generally emphasizes the matching or coupling aspect.
Can I use 'pareja' for a same-sex partner?
Absolutely! 'Pareja' is highly versatile and is the standard, modern, and gender-neutral term used for partners in any kind of relationship.