The word partner in German is just as common as in English — but its meaning is a little more flexible. It might refer to a romantic partner, a business colleague, a dance companion, or even a workout buddy. In German, it’s a word that shows up in all kinds of relationships — formal, informal, emotional, and professional.
The correct form is der Partner, and the plural is die Partner. It’s a masculine noun, and if you’re still getting comfortable with articles and noun gender, my video lesson on gender explains everything in simple terms. There's also a feminine version: die Partnerin, and die Partnerinnen in the plural — a form you’ll often hear when people are speaking inclusively.
Partner is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and knowing how to use it in real-world contexts will help you connect better with people — both personally and professionally.
Let’s take a look at Partner in all four cases:
Nominative:
Der Partner hilft ihr beim Umzug.
The partner is helping her move.
Accusative:
Sie sucht einen Partner, der sie unterstützt.
She’s looking for a partner who supports her.
Dative:
Sie spricht oft mit ihrem Partner über Probleme.
She often talks to her partner about problems.
Genitive:
Das Auto ihres Partners steht vor der Tür.
Her partner’s car is parked outside.
In conversation, Partner combines naturally with verbs like finden (to find), haben (to have), sein (to be), vertrauen (to trust), or streiten (to argue). You might hear phrases like ein neuer Partner, der perfekte Partner, or ein guter Geschäftspartner (a good business partner).
Adjectives often used with this word include verlässlich (reliable), romantisch (romantic), treu (faithful), alt (old), ehemalig (former), and idealer (ideal). It’s also commonly used in compounds: Tanzpartner (dance partner), Lernpartner (study partner), Lebenspartner (life partner), and Vertragspartner (contractual partner).
Here’s how Partner might sound in a casual conversation:
A: Ist das dein neuer Partner?
B: Ja, wir kennen uns seit ein paar Monaten.
A: Is that your new partner?
B: Yes, we’ve known each other for a few months.
Now it’s your turn. Think for a moment and say your answer aloud in German. You don’t need to write anything down — just speak. Be sure to use the word Partner (or Partnerin, if it fits) in your answer.
“Was macht einen guten Partner aus?”
What makes a good partner?
Reflecting out loud builds fluency, even if you’re only speaking to yourself — and it helps anchor new words in context.
German Word of the Day
You’ve just learned how to say partner in German, and how to use it across different situations — not just in love, but in life. Understanding a word like Partner helps you communicate with clarity, respect, and precision.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German and expand your vocabulary the smart way.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
See how Party fits into social life — and why it’s not just a borrowed word.
Or revisit Pass — and learn how it shifts between documents and mountains.