dānshēn: 单身 - Single, Unmarried

• Keywords: dānshēn, 单身, Chinese for single, single in China, unmarried in Chinese, what does danshen mean, Singles' Day China, leftover women, 单身狗, dānshēn gǒu
• Summary: “单身 (dānshēn)” is the primary Chinese word for “single” or “unmarried.” While it directly translates to being romantically unattached, the term carries significant cultural weight in China, often linked to societal and family pressure to marry. This page explores the core meaning of 单身, its cultural context including “Singles' Day” and “leftover women” (剩女), its modern slang variations like “单身狗 (single dog),” and provides practical example sentences to help you master its usage in real conversations.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dānshēn
• Part of Speech: Adjective / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To be single, unmarried, or not in a romantic relationship.
• In a Nutshell: “单身” is the go-to word for describing someone's relationship status as “single.” On the surface, it's a neutral descriptor. However, in the context of Chinese culture, where marriage is a cornerstone of family and social life, being 单身, especially past one's late twenties, can carry a sense of urgency or a problem to be solved. It's not just a status, but often a topic of conversation, concern, and even national commercial events.

• 单 (dān): This character means “single,” “alone,” “sole,” or “odd (as in numbers).” Think of it as representing a single, individual unit.
• 身 (shēn): This character means “body,” “person,” or “self.” It's a foundational character for concepts related to one's physical being and identity.
• The characters combine quite literally to mean “single body” or “single person,” clearly forming the concept of being unattached and on one's own.

In Western cultures, being single is often viewed as a personal choice, a transitional phase, or a valid long-term lifestyle. In China, while these views are gaining ground, the traditional perspective remains highly influential. The concept of filial piety (孝, xiào) extends to continuing the family line, making marriage a duty to one's parents and ancestors. Consequently, being “单身 (dānshēn)” past a certain age can be a source of immense pressure, not just from society but directly from one's family. This has given rise to several unique cultural phenomena:

• “Leftover” People (剩男/剩女, shèngnán/shèngnǚ): These terms, meaning “leftover men” and “leftover women,” are used (often controversially) to describe urban, educated individuals who remain single into their late 20s and beyond. This highlights the societal anxiety surrounding being unmarried.
• Matchmaking Culture (相亲, xiāngqīn): It's extremely common for parents and relatives to arrange blind dates for their single children. Public “marriage markets” exist in parks where parents post their children's stats to find a match.
• Singles' Day (光棍节, Guānggùn Jié): What started as an anti-Valentine's Day celebration for single people on November 11th (11/11, symbolizing four singles) has been co-opted by e-commerce giants like Alibaba. It is now the world's largest 24-hour online shopping event, where both singles and couples indulge in “retail therapy.”

“单身” is a very common word used in everyday life, from casual chats to formal surveys. Its connotation can shift based on context and tone.

• As a Statement of Fact: In dating profiles, official forms, or when asked directly, “我是单身 (Wǒ shì dānshēn)” is a neutral statement.
• In Self-Deprecating Humor: Young people frequently use the slang term “单身狗 (dānshēn gǒu),” which literally means “single dog.” It's a humorous, self-mocking way to talk about being single, especially around romantic holidays like Valentine's Day. For example: “情人节我只能在家当个单身狗 (On Valentine's Day, I can only stay home and be a single dog).”
• As a Positive Lifestyle: A more modern and empowering term is “单身贵族 (dānshēn guìzú),” or “single nobility.” This reframes being single as a sophisticated, free lifestyle choice, focusing on career, travel, and personal growth without the “burden” of a relationship.

• Example 1:
  • 我现在是单身。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiànzài shì dānshēn.
  • English: I am single right now.
  • Analysis: A simple, neutral statement of fact. This is the most basic and common usage.
• Example 2:
  • 你为什么还单身？你条件这么好！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme hái dānshēn? Nǐ tiáojiàn zhème hǎo!
  • English: Why are you still single? You're such a great catch!
  • Analysis: A very common question asked by friends or family, reflecting the cultural view that being single is a state to be explained. “条件 (tiáojiàn)” refers to one's overall profile (job, looks, personality, etc.).
• Example 3:
  • 情人节那天，我只是一只可怜的单身狗。
  • Pinyin: Qíngrénjié nàtiān, wǒ zhǐshì yī zhī kělián de dānshēn gǒu.
  • English: On Valentine's Day, I'm just a poor “single dog.”
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the popular, self-deprecating slang “单身狗 (dānshēn gǒu).” It's used informally among friends and online. Note the use of the measure word “只 (zhī)” for animals.
• Example 4:
  • 她很享受自己的单身贵族生活。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn xiǎngshòu zìjǐ de dānshēn guìzú shēnghuó.
  • English: She really enjoys her “single nobility” lifestyle.
  • Analysis: This shows the positive, modern spin on being single. “单身贵族 (dānshēn guìzú)” frames it as a luxurious and free choice.
• Example 5:
  • 很多单身青年都面临着父母催婚的压力。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō dānshēn qīngnián dōu miànlínzhe fùmǔ cuī hūn de yālì.
  • English: Many single young people face pressure from their parents to get married.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the cultural context. “催婚 (cuī hūn)” means “to rush/urge someone to marry” and is a very common verb in this discussion.
• Example 6:
  • 我最大的愿望就是今年能脱单！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì dà de yuànwàng jiùshì jīnnián néng tuō dān!
  • English: My biggest wish is to get into a relationship this year!
  • Analysis: Introduces the popular verb “脱单 (tuō dān),” which literally means “to shed the single (status).” It's the goal for someone who is tired of being 单身.
• Example 7:
  • 这家餐厅推出了单身套餐。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng tuīchū le dānshēn tàocān.
  • English: This restaurant has launched a meal set for single diners.
  • Analysis: Shows how “单身” can be used as an adjective in a commercial context, similar to a “meal for one.”
• Example 8:
  • 单身生活也有很多好处，比如更自由。
  • Pinyin: Dānshēn shēnghuó yě yǒu hěn duō hǎochù, bǐrú gèng zìyóu.
  • English: Single life also has many advantages, for example, more freedom.
  • Analysis: Here, “单身” modifies “生活 (shēnghuó)” to mean “the single life.” It's used to discuss the state of being single in general terms.
• Example 9:
  • 他已经单身五年了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yǐjīng dānshēn wǔ nián le.
  • English: He has been single for five years.
  • Analysis: This structure is used to specify the duration of the single status. The pattern is [Subject] + 单身 + [Duration] + 了.
• Example 10:
  • 本调查旨在研究单身人士的消费习惯。
  • Pinyin: Běn diàochá zhǐ zài yánjiū dānshēn rénshì de xiāofèi xíguàn.
  • English: This survey aims to study the consumption habits of single people.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a more formal usage. “人士 (rénshì)” is a formal word for “person” or “individual,” so “单身人士” is the formal equivalent of “single people.”

• Cultural Connotation vs. Literal Meaning: The most common pitfall for learners is not understanding the cultural baggage. In the West, saying “I'm single” is a neutral fact. In China, depending on your age and the context, it can be perceived as a problem you need help solving. Be prepared for follow-up questions or offers to set you up on a date (相亲).
• “Single” (单身) vs. “Alone” (一个人): These are not interchangeable.
  • 单身 (dānshēn): Refers to your romantic relationship status. You can be at a party with 100 people and still be 单身.
  • 一个人 (yī gè rén): Refers to being physically alone. You can be in a happy marriage but be 一个人 at home because your spouse is at work.
  • Incorrect: ~~我今天晚上很单身。~~ (Wǒ jīntiān wǎnshàng hěn dānshēn.) - This is wrong because being single is a status, not a temporary feeling for one evening.
  • Correct: 我今天晚上一个人在家。(Wǒ jīntiān wǎnshàng yī gè rén zài jiā.) - “I am home alone tonight.”
• “Single” (单身) vs. “Lonely” (孤单):
  • 单身 (dānshēn): An objective status.
  • 孤单 (gūdān): A subjective feeling of loneliness. You can be single but not lonely (`我虽然单身，但是不孤单`), or in a relationship and feel lonely.

• 脱单 (tuōdān) - A verb meaning “to escape singlehood” or “to get into a relationship.” The opposite of staying 单身.
• 光棍 (guānggùn) - Literally “bare stick,” a slang term for a bachelor or single man, often one who is past the typical age of marriage.
• 光棍节 (guānggùnjié) - Singles' Day (Nov 11), the massive shopping festival that originated from the concept of being single.
• 剩女 (shèngnǚ) - “Leftover woman,” a prominent and controversial term for an unmarried woman over 27.
• 剩男 (shèngnán) - “Leftover man,” the less-discussed male equivalent of 剩女.
• 单身狗 (dānshēn gǒu) - “Single dog,” a very popular and self-deprecating slang term used online and among friends.
• 单身贵族 (dānshēn guìzú) - “Single nobility,” a positive term framing the single life as a luxurious, free choice.
• 相亲 (xiāngqīn) - The act of going on a blind date, usually arranged by family or friends to help a 单身 person find a partner.
• 结婚 (jiéhūn) - To get married. The traditional “end goal” for someone who is 单身.
• 孤单 (gūdān) - The feeling of being lonely, which is distinct from the status of being 单身.