How to say "sweetheart" in Japanese

• 恋人こいびとJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for a romantic partner, covering 'lover', 'sweetheart', 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend'. When you simply mean the person someone is going out with, this is the word to reach for.
  私は恋人こいびとを「ダーリン」と呼よびます。↗

  I call my sweetheart darling.
• スウィートハート
  nounThe loanword transcription of English 'sweetheart'. It is uncommon, and unless you specifically want the English term itself, 恋人 is the word you need for a romantic partner.
• 意中の人いちゅうのひと
  nounThe person your heart is set on: it frames someone as the object of your affection rather than as an established partner. Natural when talking about who you or someone else has feelings for.
• 思い者おもいもの
  nounAn uncommon word for 'sweetheart' that you will seldom hear or need; for an actual partner, 恋人 is the word to use. Rarely the right choice in your own Japanese.
• 情人じょうじん
  nounIts senses include 'mistress', so it can suggest a secret or extramarital affair rather than an open romance. Uncommon, and rarely the neutral word you want for 'sweetheart' — prefer 恋人.

For a boyfriend, girlfriend or lover, 恋人 is the everyday word; 「意中の人」 stresses the person your heart is set on; the loanword 「スウィートハート」, uncommon 「思い者」 and 情人 — which can suggest a mistress — are seldom what you need.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 恋人こいびとlover
• スウィートハートsweetheart
• 意中の人いちゅうのひとsweetheart
• 思い者おもいものsweetheart
• 情人じょうじんlover
• 想い人おもいびとloved one