dānqū: 单曲 - Single (song), Single release

• Keywords: 单曲, dānqū, danqu, Chinese music, C-pop, Mandopop, single song, music single, new release, what is danqu, Chinese for single, album, song
• Summary: In Chinese, 单曲 (dānqū) is the direct equivalent of a “single” in the music industry. It refers to a song released individually by an artist, separate from a full album. Understanding dānqū is essential for discussing modern Chinese music, as digital platforms have made releasing singles a primary way for C-pop and Mandopop artists to engage with fans, promote upcoming albums, or collaborate on popular drama soundtracks. This page will break down its meaning, cultural relevance, and practical use in everyday conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dānqū
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (HSK 1-6), but an essential term for modern cultural literacy.
• Concise Definition: A song released as a standalone product.
• In a Nutshell: Just like in English, `单曲` refers to a single song released by a musician, either to build hype for a full album or as a one-off release. Think of it as the musical product itself. If an artist drops just one new track on Spotify or QQ Music, that track is their new `单曲`.

• 单 (dān): This character means “single,” “sole,” “individual,” or “only.” It can also mean “sheet” or “list.” The core idea is of one, singular unit.
• 曲 (qū): This character means “song,” “melody,” or “tune.” It's one of the most common characters used to refer to a piece of music.
• When combined, the meaning is literal and straightforward: 单 (dān) + 曲 (qū) = a single song.

The concept of a “single” is a global music industry standard, and its use in China is very similar to its use in the West. However, its significance has exploded with the rise of China's massive digital music ecosystem. In the West, the single evolved from 45-rpm records. In modern China, the `单曲` is a product of the digital age, thriving on platforms like QQ音乐 (QQ Yīnyuè), 网易云音乐 (Wǎngyì Yún Yīnyuè), and 酷狗音乐 (Kùgǒu Yīnyuè). Unlike the West where album sales still hold significant cultural weight, the Chinese music market is heavily single-driven. Releasing a constant stream of `单曲` allows artists to stay relevant in a fast-paced media environment. Furthermore, `单曲` are deeply integrated into other media. It is extremely common for a hit TV drama (电视剧), movie (电影), or even a video game (游戏) to have its original soundtrack (OST) songs released as popular `单曲`, often catapulting the artist to new heights of fame. For a learner, recognizing the term `单曲` is key to navigating Chinese entertainment news and pop culture discussions.

`单曲` is a neutral, standard term used in all contexts, from casual chats with friends to formal press releases.

• Discussing Music with Friends: You'll use it to talk about your favorite artists' new releases.
  • “你听了周杰伦的新单曲吗？” (Nǐ tīngle Zhōu Jiélún de xīn dānqū ma?) - “Did you listen to Jay Chou's new single?”
• On Music Apps: The term is plastered all over Chinese music streaming services to label new releases. You'll see buttons and categories for “最新单曲” (zuìxīn dānqū - latest singles).
• In Entertainment News: Media outlets will announce an artist's upcoming projects using this term.
  • “王菲宣布下个月将发行一首新单曲。” (Wáng Fēi xuānbù xià ge yuè jiāng fāxíng yī shǒu xīn dānqū.) - “Faye Wong announced she will release a new single next month.”

• Example 1:
  • 我等不及要听她的下一首单曲了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ děng bùjí yào tīng tā de xià yī shǒu dānqū le.
  • English: I can't wait to hear her next single.
  • Analysis: A common way for a fan to express excitement. `等不及 (děng bùjí)` literally means “wait can't arrive,” a great phrase for “can't wait.”
• Example 2:
  • 这首单曲发行第一天就登上了排行榜榜首。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu dānqū fāxíng dì yī tiān jiù dēng shàngle páihángbǎng bǎngshǒu.
  • English: This single topped the charts on its first day of release.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses key industry vocabulary: `发行 (fāxíng)` means “to release/publish,” and `排行榜 (páihángbǎng)` means “ranking chart.”
• Example 3:
  • 他决定先把这首歌作为单曲发布，看看市场的反应。
  • Pinyin: Tā juédìng xiān bǎ zhè shǒu gē zuòwéi dānqū fābù, kànkan shìchǎng de fǎnyìng.
  • English: He decided to first release this song as a single to see the market's reaction.
  • Analysis: This shows the business strategy behind releasing a `单曲`. `作为 (zuòwéi)` means “as,” and `反应 (fǎnyìng)` means “reaction” or “response.”
• Example 4:
  • 这部电影的主题曲会以单曲形式出售。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng de zhǔtíqū huì yǐ dānqū xíngshì chūshòu.
  • English: The theme song of this movie will be sold as a single.
  • Analysis: `主题曲 (zhǔtíqū)` is “theme song.” `以…形式 (yǐ…xíngshì)` is a useful pattern meaning “in the form of…”
• Example 5:
  • 相比整张专辑，我更喜欢他这首单曲。
  • Pinyin: Xiāngbǐ zhěng zhāng zhuānjí, wǒ gèng xǐhuān tā zhè shǒu dānqū.
  • English: Compared to the whole album, I prefer this single of his.
  • Analysis: Directly contrasts `单曲 (dānqū)` with `专辑 (zhuānjí)`, which means “album.” `相比 (xiāngbǐ)` is a common way to say “compared to.”
• Example 6:
  • 许多独立歌手通过在线发布单曲来积累人气。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō dúlì gēshǒu tōngguò zàixiàn fābù dānqū lái jīlěi rénqì.
  • English: Many indie singers build up popularity by releasing singles online.
  • Analysis: `独立歌手 (dúlì gēshǒu)` is “independent singer/artist.” `积累人气 (jīlěi rénqì)` means “to accumulate popularity.”
• Example 7:
  • 这首单曲的MV拍得非常漂亮。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu dānqū de MV pāi de fēicháng piàoliang.
  • English: The music video for this single is beautifully shot.
  • Analysis: “MV” is used directly in Chinese, just like in English, to mean “music video.” `拍得 (pāi de)` means “shot” in the context of filming.
• Example 8:
  • 这首单曲是他和一位著名说唱歌手合作的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu dānqū shì tā hé yī wèi zhùmíng shuōchàng gēshǒu hézuò de.
  • English: This single is a collaboration between him and a famous rapper.
  • Analysis: `说唱歌手 (shuōchàng gēshǒu)` is “rapper.” `合作 (hézuò)` means “to collaborate” or “collaboration.”
• Example 9:
  • 你可以付费下载这首单曲。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ fùfèi xiàzǎi zhè shǒu dānqū.
  • English: You can pay to download this single.
  • Analysis: `付费 (fùfèi)` means “to pay a fee,” and `下载 (xiàzǎi)` means “to download.” This is highly relevant for digital music.
• Example 10:
  • 我已经把这首单曲单曲循环一整天了！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng bǎ zhè shǒu dānqū dānqū xúnhuán yī zhěng tiān le!
  • English: I've already been listening to this single on repeat all day!
  • Analysis: This introduces the fantastic, related term `单曲循环 (dānqū xúnhuán)`, which means “to loop a single song” or “put on repeat.” It's a very common phrase used by music fans.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between `单曲 (dānqū)` and `一首歌 (yī shǒu gē)`.

• `单曲 (dānqū)`: This is an industry/product term. It refers to the *format* of the release. It is “a single.”
• `一首歌 (yī shǒu gē)`: This is a general counting term. It simply means “one song” or “a song.” `首 (shǒu)` is the measure word for songs.

Think of it this way: a `单曲` is always `一首歌`, but not every `一首歌` is a `单曲`. A song is only a `单曲` if it was released that way. The other songs on an album are just `歌 (gē)`, not `单曲`. Incorrect Usage:

• (Pointing to track 5 on a full album) “我喜欢这个单曲。” (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège dānqū.)
• Why it's wrong: Unless track 5 was also released separately as a single, it's just a song on the album. You are referring to its format incorrectly.

Correct Usage:

• (Pointing to track 5 on a full album) “我喜欢这首歌。” (Wǒ xǐhuān zhè shǒu gē.) - “I like this song.”
• (Talking about a song that was just released by itself) “我喜欢这个新单曲。” (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège xīn dānqū.) - “I like this new single.”

• 专辑 (zhuānjí) - Album. The collection of songs that a `单曲` is often released to promote.
• 新歌 (xīngē) - New song. A `单曲` is almost always a `新歌`.
• 主打歌 (zhǔdǎgē) - Title track, lead single. The main promotional song from an album, which is almost always released as a `单曲`.
• 单曲循环 (dānqū xúnhuán) - To play a single song on repeat/loop. A phrase every music lover should know.
• 发行 (fāxíng) - To release, to publish. The verb used for releasing music (e.g., `发行单曲` - to release a single).
• 歌曲 (gēqǔ) - Song, melody. A more formal or general term for a song.
• 歌手 (gēshǒu) - Singer, artist. The person who releases the `单曲`.
• 排行榜 (páihángbǎng) - Ranking chart, the charts. Where you hope your favorite artist's `单曲` ends up.
• 原声带 (yuánshēngdài) - Original Soundtrack (OST). A common source of hit `单曲` in China.