싱글
singgeul[ɕʰiŋɡɯɭ]
The English phrase "single" (meaning one who is not married) is translated into Korean as 싱글 (singgeul).
The word 싱글 is used informally in Korean to denote a person's single status. The phrase 애인 없는 is a way to indicate being single in conversational Korean.
Meaning: one who is not married (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term 독신 is a formal way to convey "single" in Korean.
How do you pronounce it?
singgeul
Did you know?
- If you want to say someone is 'single' because they are currently not dating anyone, you might say they are 모태솔로 (solo from birth), a slang term for someone who has never had a partner.
- While 싱글 describes a person's status, Korean uses the word 혼족, meaning 'solo tribe', to describe the growing cultural trend of people who prefer doing everything alone.
- Korea has a specific term, 비혼, which means 'intentionally not marrying', as opposed to 미혼, which means 'not yet married'.
Examples in context
- 톰은 싱글 대디야.Tom is a single father.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 싱글 in a phrase such as "single father."Tatoeba #8367064 by Eunhee, translation #5474665 by CK
- 그는 독신입니다.He is single.
- 나는 싱글이다.I am single.
- 그는 애인 없는 상태야.He is in a state of being single.
- 정말? 나도 싱글이야!Really? I am single too!
- 저는 아직 싱글이에요.jeoneun ajik singgeul-ieyo.I am still single.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are talking about their relationship status.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨는 지금 싱글인가요?Hyeon-u ssineun jigeum singgeul-ingayo?Hyunwoo, are you single right now?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 저는 싱글입니다.ne, jeoneun singgeul-imnida.Yes, I am single.
- 민지 Min-ji정말요? 의외네요.jeongmalyo? uioeneyo.Really? That's unexpected.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo사실 싱글이라서 편해요.sasil singgeul-iraseo pyeonhaeyo.Actually, it's comfortable being single.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 싱글, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
