一个人
yī gè rén
In Chinese, the English phrase 'alone' is expressed as 一个人 (yī gè rén).
一个人 is used to describe both the state of being alone and the manner in which an action is performed. It describes being by oneself.
Meaning: by oneself (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 一个人 literally translates to 'one person'.
Which one should you use?
While 一个人 is a common way to say alone, other terms exist depending on the nuance. 独自 refers to being solitary or alone in a more formal way. 单独 is used to emphasize being the only one in a specific context. If you want to convey a sense of loneliness or isolation, use 孤独.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, 一个人 functions as an adverbial phrase to indicate that an action is performed by oneself.
How do you pronounce it?
yī gè rén
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese internet slang, people use the term 单身狗 or 'single dog' to humorously refer to themselves when they are 一个人 in a romantic sense.
- The word 孤 in 孤独 is the same character used to describe 'orphans', which is why the word carries such a heavy, tragic connotation of being abandoned.
- When describing a person who is 'a lone wolf', Chinese uses the phrase 独行侠, which literally translates to 'lone traveling knight-errant'.
Examples in context
- 我一个人去那边。I'm going there alone.This sentence shows how to use 一个人 to indicate traveling to a place by oneself.Tatoeba #405492 by GlossaMatik, translation #405489 by CM
- 为什么您一个人？Why are you alone?This sentence uses 一个人 to ask about someone's current state of being alone.Tatoeba #4264942 by notabene, translation #69874 by CK
- 让我一个人待着。Leave me alone.This sentence demonstrates using 一个人 to request being left alone.Tatoeba #8936496 by crescat, translation #27641 by CK
- 我喜欢独自思考问题。(Wǒ xǐhuān dúzì sīkǎo wèntí.)I like to think about problems alone.
- 我需要和你单独讨论这个问题。(Wǒ xūyào hé nǐ dāndú tǎolùn zhège wèntí.)I need to discuss this issue with you alone.
- 他在外地感到很孤独。(Tā zài wàidì gǎndào hěn gūdú.)He feels very lonely being away from home.
- 我今天晚上一个人在家。(Wǒ jīntiān wǎnshàng yī gè rén zài jiā.)I'm alone at home tonight.
- 我喜欢独自一人去散步。(Wǒ xǐhuān dúzì yī rén qù sànbù.)I like to take a walk alone.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a recent trip to the cinema.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你昨天去看电影了吗？Nǐ zuótiān qù kàn diànyǐng le ma?Did you go to see the movie yesterday?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen看了，我一个人去的。Kàn le, wǒ yīgè rén qù de.Yes, I went alone.
- 志强 Zhiqiang一个人看电影不无聊吗？Yīgè rén kàn diànyǐng bù wúliáo ma?Isn't it boring to watch a movie alone?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen不，我觉得这样很舒服。Bù, wǒ juédé zhèyàng hěn shūfu.No, I think it's very comfortable this way.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
