How do you tell when 相手 is partner or opponent?


A group of friends are talking about how each member of their group is getting
married one by one. One of the group says the following line of a still single
friend who has just had a woman flirt with him:

> 兄ちゃんに色目使ったって、相手にされないよ、どうせ

Is the translation:

> She is making amorous glances at brother but he still does not have a
> partner.

How do you tell when 相手 is partner or opponent?




`相手` is neutral so it can be used to both refer to friendlies and foes. It's
like saying "the other", so you'll have to rely on context.

`相手にする` is a set phrase, literally translated "consider as counterpart". It
means people (or animals) engage with another, who is trying to engage. For
example you'd say: `母犬が子犬の相手をしている`, or `子犬は遊びたがっているが、母犬が相手にしない`. It can also
be used in an unfriendly context, e.g. `反乱軍は投石を行なったが、政府軍の装甲車は相手にもせず進軍を続ける`

