侣

侶

lǚ

亻 + 吕

Definitions

lǚ companion

Etymology phono-semantic

person

Semantic: 亻 Phonetic: 吕

About

Both the simplified 侣 and traditional 侶 are phono-semantic compounds: the left-side human radical 亻 signals the meaning relates to people and interpersonal connections, while the right-side component 吕 (or 呂) provides the pronunciation. The character has always conveyed the idea of companionship, an associate, a partner, or a close pair of individuals. Originally it referred to people who travel together or share a common activity; later its sense broadened to embrace romantic partners, spouses, and committed life companions. The structure itself mirrors this social pairing, with the human radical emphasizing the bond between people.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他们是好伴侣。

Tāmen shì hǎo bànlǚ.

They are good companions.

这对情侣很幸福。

Zhè duì qínglǚ hěn xìngfú.

This couple is very happy.

我的伴侣喜欢看书。

Wǒ de bànlǚ xǐhuān kànshū.

My partner likes reading books.

他和伴侣一起工作。

Tā hé bànlǚ yīqǐ gōngzuò.

He works with his partner.

在公园里看到情侣。

Zài gōngyuán lǐ kàndào qínglǚ.

I saw a couple in the park.

找到合适的伴侣不容易。

Zhǎodào héshì de bànlǚ bù róngyì.

Finding a suitable partner is not easy.

这对情侣决定明年结婚。

Zhè duì qínglǚ juédìng míngnián jiéhūn.

This couple decided to get married next year.

作为终身伴侣，他们互相支持。

Zuòwéi zhōngshēn bànlǚ, tāmen hùxiāng zhīchí.

As lifelong partners, they support each other.

Related Characters

Component: 亻

Component: 吕

侣