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"Pareja" is a form of "pareja", a noun which is often translated as "couple". "Compañero" is a noun which is often translated as "companion". Learn more about the difference between "compañero" and "pareja" below.
el compañero, la compañera(
kohm
-
pah
-
nyeh
-
roh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (friend)
a. companion
Disfrutarás más el viaje si vas con algún compañero.You'll enjoy the trip more if you go with a companion.
2. (education)
b. schoolmate
Ana y yo fuimos compañeras en el Colegio Santa Cruz.Ana and I were schoolmates at the Santa Cruz School.
a. partner
Mi mujer es mi compañera de vida y mi único verdadero amor.My wife is my partner in life and my one true love.
4. (associate)
a. partner
¿Quién es tu compañero en el torneo de Scrabble?Who's your partner in the Scrabble tournament?
6. (politics)
a. comrade
Compañeros, hoy es un día clave para nuestra organización.Comrades, today is an important day for our organization.
la pareja(
pah
-
reh
-
hah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. partner
Samuel vendrá a la boda con su pareja.Samuel will be coming to the wedding with his partner.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Se me perdió la pareja de este arete.I've lost the earring that goes with this one.
¿Por qué solo llevas un calcetín? - No encuentro la pareja.Why are you only wearing one sock? - I can't find the other one.