The meaning of "aibou" - calling all japanese speakers

[LicoriceAllsorts]

Remember the great LTD "koibito" debate?

Something similar has arisen in the KH fandom.

So, Japanese speakers - is the word "aibou" (partner) ever used among Japanese people to denote a sexual partner in the same way that "partner" is used in English?

Thanks!

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

I'm going to have to give this one a definite "no" unless there's things Reno and Rude aren't telling us, and unless the long-running Japanese TV drama "相棒" (about two police detectives) had a subtext that completely went over my head.

 

[Octo]

Is this about Donald and Goofy!?

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

They're out at last.

 

[Strangelove]

i wouldn't think of it as 'partner' in the romantic/sexual sense.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

I've even seen it used as "accomplice" or "buddy," but never in a romantic fashion.