Yes — EQ and emotional intelligence refer to the same concept. EQ stands for “Emotional Quotient”, which is a way of measuring emotional intelligence, similar to how IQ measures cognitive intelligence.
While "emotional intelligence" describes the overall ability — including self-awareness, empathy, self-regulation, motivation, and social skills — "EQ" is often used as shorthand, especially when referring to test scores or comparisons (e.g., “He has a high EQ”).
In everyday language, people use EQ and emotional intelligence interchangeably. Technically, EQ is the score or metric, and emotional intelligence is the broader skill set — but in practice, the difference is minimal.
So whether someone says “emotional intelligence” or “EQ,” they’re talking about the same thing: the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions — in yourself and others.