Courtship is the period in a couple's relationship which precedes their engagement and marriage, or establishment of an agreed relationship of a more enduring kind. In courtship, a couple get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement or other such agreement. A courtship may be an informal and private matter between two people or may be a public affair, or a formal arrangement with family approval. Traditionally, in the case of a formal engagement, it has been perceived that it is the role of a male to actively "court" or "woo" a female, thus encouraging her to understand him and her receptiveness to a proposal of marriage. Within many western societies, these distinct gender roles have lost some of their importance and rigidity. It is now common in younger generations for females to both initiate relationships and to propose marriage.

Partnerwahl bezeichnet einen Prozess, in welchem Menschen Beziehungspartner auswählen. In diesem Prozess spielen unterschiedliche Faktoren eine Rolle, darunter sexuelle Attraktivität, Erwägungen bezüglich des Lebensplans, Gefühle, Erfahrungen und habituelle Ähnlichkeiten.

Partnerkeuze (bij dieren ook paarvorming genoemd) is een proces waarin twee (seksuele) partners besluiten voor kortere of langere tijd bij elkaar te blijven. Bij mensen is het, ook als het gaat om een meerjarige periode, niet per sé verbonden aan voortplanting.

O namoro é uma instituição de relacionamento interpessoal não moderna, que tem como função a experimentação sentimental e/ou sexual entre duas pessoas através da troca de conhecimentos e uma vivência com um grau de comprometimento inferior à do matrimônio. A grande maioria utiliza o namoro como pré-condição para o estabelecimento de um noivado ou casamento, definido este último ato antropologicamente como um o vínculo estabelecido entre duas pessoas mediante o reconhecimento governamental, religioso ou social[1].