der  Ehepartner

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈeːəˌpaʁtnɐ/

🤵 What does "der Ehepartner" mean?

The term der Ehepartner refers to a male person who is married. It's the male equivalent of "die Ehepartnerin" (female spouse). It refers to the husband in a marriage, either from the other partner's perspective or in a legal/formal context.

Key points:

• Gender: Specifically male. The female form is die Ehepartnerin.
• Context: Often used in formal, legal, or administrative contexts, but also in general conversation.
• Neutrality: Sometimes, "Ehepartner" is used generically, but technically correct gender-neutral forms are Ehepartner*in, EhepartnerIn, or the term Ehepartei (especially in legal contexts) or simply Eheleute (plural for the married couple). In the singular, "der Ehepartner" defaults to a man. ⚠️

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: der Ehepartner

The noun "der Ehepartner" is masculine and follows the weak n-declension (schwache N-Deklination). This means it adds an "-n" or "-en" ending in all cases except the nominative singular.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural of "Ehepartner" is the same as the singular form, but it also follows the n-declension pattern (which only requires an extra ending in the dative plural).

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Ehepartner muss das Formular ebenfalls unterschreiben. (Nominative Singular: The male spouse must also sign the form.)
2. Die Unterschrift des Ehepartners fehlt noch. (Genitive Singular: The male spouse's signature is still missing.)
3. Ich habe es dem Ehepartner meiner Kollegin gegeben. (Dative Singular: I gave it to my colleague's male spouse.)
4. Sie sucht den Ehepartner von Frau Müller. (Accusative Singular: She is looking for Mrs. Müller's male spouse.)
5. Die Ehepartner wurden gemeinsam befragt. (Nominative Plural: The spouses were interviewed together. - Could be two men, or used generically sometimes, though 'Eheleute' is safer for mixed gender)
6. Das Vermögen der Ehepartner wird getrennt betrachtet. (Genitive Plural: The spouses' assets are considered separately.)
7. Das Geschenk wurde den Ehepartnern überreicht. (Dative Plural: The gift was presented to the spouses.)
8. Wir haben die Ehepartner zum Abendessen eingeladen. (Accusative Plural: We invited the spouses for dinner.)

Usage: When to use "der Ehepartner"?

"Der Ehepartner" is used in various contexts:

• Formal/Official: Very common on forms, contracts, legal documents, and when dealing with authorities. (e.g., "Name des Ehepartners" - Name of the male spouse, "Angaben zum Ehepartner" - Information about the male spouse)
• General: Also used in everyday language to refer to the male part of a married couple, often when maintaining a certain distance or neutrality.
• Distinction: Clearer than just "Mann" (man), which can simply mean "male person". "Gatte" is a synonym but sounds a bit more elevated or sometimes slightly old-fashioned.

Compared to Ehemann (husband):

• Ehepartner often sounds more neutral and formal than Ehemann.
• Ehemann is more frequently used in personal, everyday conversation ("Mein Ehemann ist Arzt." - My husband is a doctor.).
• Ehepartner is more likely used when the role or status is the focus ("Bitte geben Sie Ihren Ehepartner an." - Please state your male spouse.).

💡 How to Remember "der Ehepartner"

Article "der": Remember that der is the typical article for male persons in German (der Mann, der Vater, der Sohn...). So, it's also: der Ehepartner (the male partner in the marriage).

Meaning: Break down the word: Ehe (think Ehering - wedding ring; relates to marriage) + Partner (someone who belongs, participates). So, an Ehepartner is the male partner in the marriage.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Ehepartner

Words that could be confusing:

• Partner: Can refer to any kind of partner (business partner, life partner without marriage).
• Lebensgefährte: Often denotes a partner in a marriage-like relationship but without formal marriage (domestic partner/cohabitant).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Sind Sie verheiratet?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Ja, Herr Richter, mit einer Frau."
Richter: "Das ist ja wohl selbstverständlich! Oder haben Sie schon mal gehört, dass jemand mit einem Mann verheiratet ist?"
Angeklagter: "Doch, Herr Richter. Meine Schwester!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Are you married?"
The defendant replies: "Yes, your Honor, to a woman."
Judge: "Well, that's obvious! Or have you ever heard of someone being married to a man?"
Defendant: "Actually, yes, your Honor. My sister!"

(Note: This joke plays on traditional assumptions and the modern reality of same-sex marriage, where 'Ehepartner' was historically understood only heteronormatively.)

📜 Poem about the Ehepartner

Der Ehepartner, stark und klar,
steht treu zur Seite, Jahr für Jahr.
Ob Sturm, ob Sonne, Freud und Leid,
teilt er des Lebens Wirklichkeit.

Ein Fels, ein Freund, ein sich'rer Port,
an diesem einen, festen Ort.
Mit Ring verbunden, Wort gegeben,
so geht man durch das ganze Leben.

Translation:
The male spouse, strong and clear,
stands faithfully beside, year after year.
Whether storm or sun, joy and sorrow,
he shares life's reality thorough.

A rock, a friend, a safe port,
in this one, steadfast fort.
Bound by a ring, word given,
thus one walks through all of living.

🧩 Riddle

Ich trage einen Ring, doch bin kein Planet.
Ich habe "Ja" gesagt, als man mich gefragt hat.
Ich bin der Mann an ihrer Seite, formell genannt.
Wer bin ich, im Ehedokument bekannt?

I wear a ring, but am no planet bright.
I answered "Yes" when asked with all due might.
I am the man beside her, formally addressed.
Who am I, in marriage documents confessed?

Lösung/Solution: Der Ehepartner

➕ Additional Information

Word Composition:

The word "Ehepartner" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Ehe: Refers to the institution of marriage (from Old High German "ēwa" meaning law, contract, marriage).
• Partner: Refers to a person who participates in something or is associated with another person (from Latin "particeps" meaning sharer, participant).

Legal Status: The term "Ehepartner" carries significant legal weight in many areas, including inheritance law, tax law, social law, and family law.

Same-Sex Marriage (Gleichgeschlechtliche Ehe): Since the introduction of marriage equality (Ehe für alle) in Germany, two men can marry. In this case, both are "der Ehepartner" to each other. Similarly, for two women, both are "die Ehepartnerin".