solteiro
/sowˈte(j).ɾu/
The English phrase 'unmarried' is translated into Portuguese as solteiro.
The word is used to describe someone who is having no husband or wife. It is the direct antonym of casado (married).
Meaning: having no husband or wife (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the person being described. Use solteira for a woman. For plural forms, use solteiros to describe a group of unmarried men or a mixed-gender group of unmarried people and use solteiras specifically for a group consisting only of unmarried women.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /sowˈte(j).ɾu/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The phrase solteiro can be used playfully in Portuguese to describe an object that is not paired, such as a 'single' sock that has lost its match.
- Unlike in English, where 'single' is often a positive lifestyle choice, the question Por que você ainda é solteiro? (Why are you still single?) is a common and often blunt social inquiry in Portuguese cultures.
- Many Portuguese speakers associate solteiro with the word solto, meaning 'loose' or 'unbound'. This folk etymology frames being unmarried as a state of freedom rather than a lack of a partner.
Examples in context
- O Tom é solteiro.Tom is unmarried.This sentence shows how to state that Tom is unmarried using solteiro.Tatoeba #4427051 by kewne, translation #1024790 by CK
- Por que você ainda é solteiro?Why are you still unmarried?This sentence uses solteiro to ask why someone is still unmarried.Tatoeba #7575212 by Ricardo14, translation #6439026 by CK
- Sou solteiro.I'm unmarried.This sentence is a way to say 'I'm unmarried' using solteiro.Tatoeba #1552829 by alexmarcelo, translation #2549703 by CK
- Ela é solteiraShe is unmarried
- Ele é solteiroHe is unmarried
- Ela não é casadaShe is not married
- Ele não é casadoHe is not married
- Ele está desimpedidoHe is unmarried/uncommitted
- O João é um solteirãoJoão is an unmarried confirmed bachelor
- Eu sou solteiro há muitos anos.I have been unmarried for many years.
- Eles são desimpedidos e podem viajar quando quiserem.They are unmarried/uncommitted and can travel whenever they want.
- Ela não está casada no momento.She is not married at the moment.
- A Maria é uma solteirona assumida e está feliz assim.Maria is a confirmed spinster and is happy that way.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are chatting about their friends at a party.
- RodrigoO meu primo é solteiro.My cousin is unmarried.
- JulianaEle é legal? Eu quero conhecer.Is he nice? I want to meet him.
- RodrigoSim, ele é um cara muito gentil.Yes, he is a very kind guy.
- JulianaQue ótimo! Apresenta ele para mim.That's great! Introduce him to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unmarried” translations and entries solteiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
