How to Ask If Someone Has a Boyfriend or Girlfriend in Spanish

Do you want to know how to ask if someone has a boyfriend or girlfriend in Spanish? Use the phrases “¿Tienes novio?” for “Do you have a boyfriend?” and “¿Tienes novia?” for “Do you have a girlfriend?”. And add “no” at the beginning of your response to indicate being single. Read on to learn more about asking and answering relationship questions in Spanish.

How do you ask if someone has a boyfriend or girlfriend in Spanish?

To ask if someone has a boyfriend or girlfriend in Spanish, use the phrases “¿Tienes novio?” for “Do you have a boyfriend?” and “¿Tienes novia?” for “Do you have a girlfriend?”. Add “no” at the beginning of the response to indicate not having a partner, e.g., “(No) tengo novio” or “(No) tengo novia”.

In this article, we’ll explore different ways to ask and answer questions about relationships in Spanish. We will cover simple questions like asking if someone has a boyfriend or girlfriend, more complex questions related to marital status, and even how to ask if someone is alone or with someone in a public setting.

Basic Relationship Questions

Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?

To ask if someone has a boyfriend or girlfriend in Spanish, you can use the following phrases:

Do you have a boyfriend? – ¿Tienes novio?
I (don’t) have a boyfriend. – (No) tengo novio.
Do you have a girlfriend? – ¿Tienes novia?
I (don’t) have a girlfriend. – (No) tengo novia.

By putting “no” at the beginning, you negate the sentence and say you don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Asking if Someone is Single

When asking if someone is single in Spanish, you use a conjugation of either ser or estar as the verb. Depending on the area where you are, you’ll find one used more than the other, but they are generally interchangeable. If you want to ask if someone is single, you would use the word soltero for a male and soltera for a female.

Using the Verb Ser

Are you single? – ¿Eres soltero/soltera?
I’m (not) single. – (No) soy soltero/soltera.

Using the Verb Estar

Are you single? – ¿Estás soltero/soltera?
I’m (not) single. – (No) estoy soltero/soltera.

Stronger Ways to Say Single – Solterón and Solterona

Solterón (sohl-teh-ROHN) for males and solterona (sohl-teh-ROHN-ah) for females are stronger ways to say soltero/a, but their meanings are different.
If a male is said to be a solterón, this could mean that they are either a confirmed or long-term bachelor. This isn’t to say that they might never want to settle down, but chances are he is more a player than someone interested in commitment.
On the other hand, solterona tends to mean a female that’s an “old maid,” so it’s more derogatory than the male version. You wouldn’t want to ask a woman ¿Eres solterona? or you might be wearing a drink instead of sharing one.

Relationship Status Questions

Are You Seeing (Going Out With) Somebody?

Are you seeing (going out with) somebody? – ¿Estás saliendo con alguien?
I’m not seeing anyone. – No estoy saliendo con nadie.
I’m seeing someone. – Estoy saliendo con alguien.

Deeper Relationship Questions

We’re lovers. – Somos amantes.
We live together. – Vivimos juntos.
We’re in love. – Estamos enamorados.
We have a love-hate relationship. – Tenemos una relación de amor-odio.

Breakups and Open Relationships

I’m breaking up with my [boyfriend/girlfriend]. – Estoy rompiendo con mi novio/a.
We have an open relationship. – Tenemos una relación abierta.

Marriage-Related Questions

Are you married? – ¿Estás casado/casada?
I’m (not) married. – (No) estoy casado/casada.
I’m engaged. – Estoy comprometido/a.
I’m getting married. – Voy a casarme.
We’re happily married. – Somos felices en el matrimonio.
I have an open marriage. – Tengo un matrimonio abierto.
We’re getting separated. – Nos estamos separando.
I’m separated from my husband. – Estoy separada de mi esposo.
I’m separated from my wife. – Estoy separado de mi esposa.
I’m getting a divorce. – Estoy en proceso de divorciarme.
I’m divorced. – Estoy divorciado/a.
I’m widowed. – Soy viudo/a.

Asking If Someone is Alone or With Someone in Spanish

You can use these phrases anywhere you meet someone – at a bar, park, etc. Or somebody may ask you. When you ask this, you’re not asking if they go out with someone or have a boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s just asking if they are with anyone at that moment.

Are You With Someone?

Are you with someone? (to a girl) – ¿Estás acompañada?
Are you with someone? (to a guy) – ¿Estás acompañado?

The literal translation of the above phrases is “Are you accompanied?” If you meet other travelers that speak Spanish, here’s a couple of ways to ask if someone is traveling alone or with others:

Are you traveling by yourself? – ¿Viajas solo/a? (o= said to a man, a= said to a woman)
Who are you traveling with? – ¿Con quién viajas?

Possible Responses

I’m with a friend. – Estoy con un amigo/a. (o= male friend, a= female friend)
I’m by myself. – Estoy solo/a. (o= for males, a= for females)

Lessons Learned

Throughout the article, we learn the importance of understanding the different phrases and ways to ask about someone’s relationship status in Spanish. It is essential to be aware of the cultural and regional differences in the language and to choose the appropriate expressions according to the context and the person we are talking to.

One main takeaway is the difference between the verbs ser and estar when asking if someone is single. Both are acceptable and interchangeable, but their usage may vary depending on the region. Additionally, it’s important to note that certain phrases, like solterón or solterona, have different meanings and connotations, which may lead to misunderstandings if used inappropriately. Always be cautious and aware of the potential impact of the words you choose to use.

Another crucial lesson learned is the variety of questions and responses when discussing relationships in Spanish. From basic relationship inquiries to deeper questions about love and breakups, it is essential to familiarize ourselves with these expressions to engage in meaningful conversations with Spanish speakers. Also, understanding how to ask if someone is alone or with someone in public settings is an invaluable skill that can help you navigate social situations more smoothly.

In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of learning the various ways to ask and answer questions about relationships in Spanish. By mastering these phrases, we can enrich our conversations with Spanish speakers, avoid misunderstandings, and better understand their culture and social norms. Furthermore, being aware of regional differences and choosing the appropriate words and expressions is crucial to building successful relationships and connections with Spanish-speaking individuals. So, embrace the learning process and practice using these phrases in your daily interactions to improve your Spanish language skills and enhance your cultural understanding.