伴侣 bànlǚ companion
companion; mate; partner
How to remember 伴侣: 伴 companion + 侣 companion = companion.
Characters
How it is used
- A life partner / companion - 他们是相伴一生的伴侣 (tāmen shì xiāngbàn yìshēng de bànlǚ) they are lifelong partners.
- Warm, often romantic/marital: 终身伴侣 (lifelong partner), 人生伴侣. Also 伴侣动物 (companion animals).
- Contrast 同伴 (tóngbàn, a companion/mate for an activity); 伴侣 implies a deep, enduring partnership.