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This question also has an answer here (in Ukrainian):
Чи є в українській мові відповідник до англійського слова "spouse"?

In English there is a gender-neutral word "spouse" that denotes a partner in a marriage or civil union. Is there any similar word in Ukrainian that could be used by both (married) people to refer to their partner?

  • "husband"/"wife" -> "чоловік"/"дружина (жінка?)"
  • "partner" -> "партнер/ка"
  • "spouse" -> ?
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    Interestingly, the Ukrainian feminist movement is advocating for using gender-specific forms and avoiding any gender-agnostic words like spouse, партнер, etc. It may be relevant to ask for their position.
    – Be Brave Be Like Ukraine
    Feb 15, 2017 at 5:59
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    @bytebuster, thanks for the idea! I'll try to reach someone from the feminist community.
    – s0nata
    Feb 15, 2017 at 7:04
  • до речі, здається, у Стефаника або Коцюбинського "дружина" використовується саме як spouse.
    – P. Vowk ♦
    Oct 16, 2017 at 16:17

3 Answers 3

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According to СУМ word "подружжя" has this meaning. But it is uncommon (in my opinion) to be used this way, it is mostly used in meaning "married couple". I think you will be understood if you say "Його/її подружжя", but it will sound a little poetic (in my opinion). Usually people just use "чоловік"/"жінка (дружина)".

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I found this variant: полови́на4 (literally "half of a couple"). But again it's not that perfect, because while "моя половина" ("mine half") is gender-less, "його/її половина" ("his/her half") reveals gender.

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If we are looking for a gender-neutral word in Ukrainian language - for now it can be "пара", not "подружжя", because "подружжя" is still used in meaning "married man and woman".

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    I recommend adding info that "пара" is used not only for spouse but for girlfriend/boyfriend too. Also consider adding some references and try to imagine that it is a standalone answer - currently this answer is more like comment. (Imagine that my answer is deleted or downvoted - your answer will sound a little bit strange :) )
    – Kyrylo Yatsenko
    Feb 15, 2017 at 8:36
  • "пара" seems to be a good option: for instance, in Spanish there is a version for "чоловік"/"дружина (жінка)" - "marido"/"mujer" (marriage is implied), a gendered version of "spouse" - "esposo"/"esposa" (quite formal) and a commonly used gender-neutral "pareja" - "пара" (informal).
    – s0nata
    Feb 15, 2017 at 9:00
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    Perhaps, Обранець/Обраниця within some specific context? Although it's obviously not the sharp counterpart for Spouse, the latter being used for a husband and wife, while Обранець/Обраниця (like Пара) are used to identify not married ones (girlfriend/boyfriend) as well.
    – Oksana Gubrenko
    Feb 15, 2017 at 10:46

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