Is パートナー likely to be interpreted as a same-sex partner?


When I talked about a relative and his パートナー visiting for Christmas, the
person I was speaking to asked if his パートナー was male. Is this a common
interpretation of パートナー? Is there a better word than パートナー to talk about a
long-term opposite-sex partner who isn't married?

ガールフレンド was suggested, but in English, "girlfriend" wouldn't be a good choice
of words as it tends to be used for short-term relationships, especially
involving teenagers.




I don't think パートナー has an implication of sex. It refers to work partner or
partner in dance, sports, etc.

The [goo
dictionary](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/jn2/173089/m0u/%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC/)
has the following explanation:

> １ 共同で仕事をする相手。相棒。
>
> ２ ダンス・スポーツなどで二人一組になるときの相手。
>
> ３ つれあい。配偶者。

I don't recall I see the use of the third meaning very often.

