ficante

Ficante is a colloquial term in Brazilian Portuguese used to describe a person with whom someone is dating in a casual or non-exclusive way. The word derives from the verb ficar, meaning to stay together, to hook up, or to be involved with someone. As a noun, ficante designates the person in that ongoing, informal relationship; it is not synonymous with a committed partner such as namorado (boyfriend) or namorada (girlfriend).

In everyday use, ficante can refer to both men and women, with gender indicated by the surrounding article or possessive. For example, ele é meu ficante or minha ficante. The term signals a status that is more casual and not officially defined, though the exact arrangements can vary from one couple to another. It is common in conversations about contemporary dating and can imply regular meetings, flirtation, or a loosely defined agreement to see each other without a formal commitment.

Regional variation is notable: ficante is widely used in Brazil and among Portuguese-speaking communities with Brazilian influence, but it may be less common or understood differently in Portugal, where other terms such as paquera or simplesmente namorar might be used to describe similar situations. As with many dating terms, its connotations depend on context, tone, and personal interpretation, reflecting modern approaches to relationships that fall between casual dating and formal commitment.