侣 is a bound morpheme (b.f.) meaning 'companion' or 'partner'. It cannot be used as a standalone word; it always appears as part of compound words such as 伴侣 (bànlǚ, companion/partner), 情侣 (qínglǚ, lovers/romantic couple), and 伴侣动物 (bànlǚ dòngwù, companion animal). In writing, it replaces the second syllable of these compounds.