The context will tell you what the connotation of 'partner 'is. If you're talking about personal relationships and family, 'partner' means girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife. Likewise, if you're talking about business, ballroom dancing or tennis, it's usually clear. Occasionally, you have to specify and say "my business partner" to avoid misunderstanding, but it's generally clear and unambiguous. To be honest, I am confused by this member's statement as you are. It makes no sense. This is a language forum where people meet language partners, and the fact that she's married doesn't preclude the possibility of having a language partner. Even if her society imposes religious/cultural prohibitions - or if she has an insanely jealous husband - she could still have a female language partner. She probably means "I am married so not seeking a date/"flirt buddy"/boyfriend/fiance/husband", and wanted to be suitably vague about this. However, in the context of this forum, it's the wrong term to choose, as that is not the meaning of the term as it is used here. So, to answer your question - yes, it's safe. In the context of language practice, either in the classroom or online, there is no suggestion that your intention is to do anything other chat as you would to a colleague or classmate.

You're doing the right thing by talking about "language partners". That is the correct term for people who trade language knowledge. :) If you say "language partner" then there is no ambiguity, no room for misinterpretation. So you are safe, and doing the right thing. However, the word "partner" on its own has several meanings. If in doubt, don't use it on its own, always qualify it.

Not at all. It is perfectly OK to use "partner" to describe someone you exchange language with. A "partner" is just someone that you have a relationship with. That may be a working relationship, a romantic relationship, a "I will help you if you help me" relationship etc. When the lady you mention wrote "I am married so not seeking a partner" she wanted to indicate that she was already romantically attached and that she was not looking for a male or female to start a romantic relationship. Personally, I feel that it is a little sad that a woman has to write this on her profile. When someone creates a profile on a language exchange site, it should be safe to assume that their only reason for being here is to learn a language. Being a realist, I guess there are those who won't see it that way.