Neither of these are that great. I can't say "相棒" really has the same connotation as "partner" does. It sounds more like something a girl would say when she doesn't want to commit to the relationship rather than a gender neutral alternative like it is in English.
some discussion about it:
https://oshiete.goo.ne.jp/qa/11219144.html
some discussion about it:
https://oshiete.goo.ne.jp/qa/11219144.html
correction, the word here is actually 相方 but it still sounds like something you would use to avoid commitment rather than avoiding gender.
https://blog.goo.ne.jp/toshikitoma/e/a9c345d6edebe86721ecb579224af87e
this blog post does suggest it's closer to how "partner" is used in English so I should take back that the top one is inaccurate.
I am weary of accepting "based" translations just as much as "woke" ones, I think it's usually best to avoid any kind of baggage that might not exist in the other language.
this blog post does suggest it's closer to how "partner" is used in English so I should take back that the top one is inaccurate.
I am weary of accepting "based" translations just as much as "woke" ones, I think it's usually best to avoid any kind of baggage that might not exist in the other language.
