单身
dānshēn
In Chinese, the phrase for 'single' (referring to one who is not married) is 单身 (dānshēn).
The term 单身 is used to describe someone who is single in a social or romantic sense. For more colloquial or humorous contexts, particularly among young people, the term 单身狗 (literally 'single dog') is often used. In informal spoken language, you may also hear the term 单着 to describe being single.
Meaning: one who is not married (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 单身 literally means 'single body', composed of 单 (single or alone) and 身 (body or self).
Which one should you use?
While 单身 implies being single in a social or romantic context, the term 未婚 specifically means 'unmarried' and is used to emphasize a person's status in a more formal or legalistic way. Other related words like 單 / 单 or 單獨 / 单独 are used to mean 'not accompanied by anything else'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To create a noun meaning 'bachelor' or 'single man', you can add the suffix 汉 to the concept, forming 单身汉.
How do you pronounce it?
dānshēn
Did you know?
- In China, the pressure to move from 单身 to married status is so high that 'blind date markets' exist, where parents post 'resumes' of their single children in public parks.
- Chinese culture has a concept called 'single-person economy', where companies create smaller portions of food and specialized services specifically for those who are 单身.
- The character 单 in 单身 can also be used to mean 'simple' or 'plain' in other contexts. This creates a conceptual link between being single and being 'uncomplicated'.
Examples in context
- 你是单身吗？Are you single?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is single using 单身.Tatoeba #4956716 by musclegirlxyp, translation #280576 by CK
- 我怀疑汤姆是单身。I doubt if Tom is single.This sentence is useful for expressing doubt about someone being single using 单身.Tatoeba #5983615 by verdastelo9604, translation #1027576 by CK
- 我单身。I am single.This sentence is useful for stating that you are single using 单身.Tatoeba #4977440 by musclegirlxyp, translation #1550951 by miflhanc
- 他已经单身很久了。He has been single for a long time.
- 她是未婚的。She is unmarried.
- 我还是一只单身狗。I am still a single dog.
- 别担心，我很享受单着的生活。Don't worry, I enjoy being single.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their relationship status.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，你现在还是单身吗？Jiāyí, nǐ xiànzài háishì dānshēn ma?Jiayi, are you still single now?
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，我目前是单身。Shì de, wǒ mùqián shì dānshēn.Yes, I am single at the moment.
- 浩然 Haoran我也一样，我也在单身。Wǒ yě yīyàng, wǒ yě zài dānshēn.Me too, I am also single.
- 佳怡 Jiayi看来我们两个都是单身。Kàn lái wǒmen liǎng gè dōu shì dānshēn.It seems we are both single.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
