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B1 noun #3,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

der Single

Top 3,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces der Single en 30 secondes

Explication der Single in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'der Single' means a person who does not have a boyfriend or girlfriend. It is a very easy word because it is almost the same as in English. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Ich bin Single' (I am single) or 'Er ist Single' (He is single). You might hear it when people talk about their families or friends. It is important to remember that in German, we often don't use 'ein' (a) before 'Single' when we say 'I am single'. It is a masculine word, so we say 'der Single'. In the plural, it is 'die Singles'. This word is very common in big cities in Germany. If you are learning German for the first time, this is one of the easiest 'loanwords' from English to remember. You will see it on dating websites or in magazines. Just remember: it is a noun, so it starts with a capital letter in German: 'Single'.

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At the A2 level, you should start using 'der Single' in more varied contexts. You can combine it with simple adjectives, such as 'glücklicher Single' (happy single) or 'unzufriedener Single' (unhappy single). You should also be aware of the plural form 'Singles' and how to use it with numbers, like 'Zwei Singles wohnen in diesem Haus' (Two singles live in this house). At this stage, you might also learn basic compound words like 'Single-Wohnung' (an apartment for one person). You should understand that 'Single' is used for social situations, while 'ledig' is used for official papers. For example, if you are introducing yourself at a party, you say 'Ich bin Single'. If you are at the doctor's office and they ask for your status, you might say 'Ich bin ledig' if you have never been married. This distinction helps you sound more like a native speaker.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to understand the sociological and cultural implications of 'der Single' in Germany. You should be able to discuss the 'Singlegesellschaft' (single society) and the reasons why people choose to live alone. You will encounter this word in more complex texts, such as news articles about housing shortages or demographic changes. You should be comfortable using the word in various grammatical cases, such as the dative: 'Ich wohne mit einem Single zusammen' (I live together with a single person). You should also know related terms like 'alleinstehend' (living alone/single) and understand that it is more formal. At B1, you can also use 'Single' as part of more specific phrases like 'überzeugter Single' (someone who is single by choice and happy about it). You might also see it in marketing contexts, like 'Single-Reisen' or 'Single-Küche', and you should be able to explain what these are in German.

At the B2 level, your understanding of 'der Single' should include its nuances in professional and academic discussions. You will hear it used in debates about urban development and the 'Atomisierung' (atomization) of society. You should be able to distinguish between 'Single' as a lifestyle choice and the legal statuses like 'geschieden' (divorced) or 'verwitwet' (widowed). You will also notice that the word 'Single' can sometimes have a slightly negative or positive connotation depending on the context—for example, 'das Single-Dasein genießen' (to enjoy being single) versus 'die Einsamkeit der Singles' (the loneliness of singles). You should be able to use the word fluently in discussions about modern dating culture, including 'Single-Börsen' (dating sites) and the impact of technology on relationships. Your vocabulary should also include alternatives like 'ungebunden' or 'solo', and you should know when to use each to achieve the right tone.

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At the C1 level, you should have a sophisticated grasp of 'der Single' and its place in the German lexicon. You should be aware of the linguistic debate surrounding the word as an 'Anglicism' and how it has displaced older German terms like 'Junggeselle'. You can analyze the use of 'Single' in literature, sociopolitical commentary, and high-level journalism. You should understand the subtle differences between 'der Single' (the person) and 'die Single' (the music record) and be able to use both correctly without hesitation. Furthermore, you should be able to discuss the economic impact of the 'Single-Ökonomie'—how businesses adapt to the high number of one-person households in Germany. You can use the word in complex sentence structures and understand its role in creating specific registers, from the informal slang of a dating app to the clinical tone of a sociological study. You should also be familiar with idiomatic expressions and cultural references related to being single in Germany.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native understanding of 'der Single'. You can participate in deep philosophical or sociological discussions about the 'Singularisierung' of society and the long-term effects of the 'Single-Trend' on the German pension system and social fabric. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its introduction into the German language to its current status as a standard term. You can use the word with perfect grammatical precision in all cases and contexts, including highly formal academic writing or creative literary works. You are also aware of the most subtle connotations and can use the word to convey irony, humor, or empathy. You can effortlessly switch between 'Single', 'alleinstehend', 'ungebunden', and other synonyms to match the exact requirement of your discourse. Your mastery includes an understanding of how the concept of 'the single' is portrayed in German cinema, art, and media, and you can critique these representations with nuance.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

der Single en 30 secondes

Refers to a person without a romantic partner or spouse.
A masculine noun (der Single) with the plural 'Singles'.
Different from 'ledig', which is a legal term for 'unmarried'.
Commonly used in dating, housing, and social life contexts.

The German word der Single is a fascinating example of a pseudo-anglicism that has become deeply embedded in the German language. While it looks and sounds identical to its English counterpart, its usage in Germany carries specific cultural weight. In its most basic sense, it refers to a person who is not currently in a committed romantic relationship. However, unlike the bureaucratic term ledig (unmarried), which is a legal status, Single describes a lifestyle and a social reality. In modern German society, being a Single is often viewed as a temporary or even a chosen phase of life, particularly in large urban centers like Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich, where the percentage of Einpersonenhaushalte (one-person households) is remarkably high. People use this word to identify themselves on dating apps, in social circles, and when discussing demographic trends.

Social Context: In Germany, the concept of the 'Single' is often discussed in the media regarding the 'Singlegesellschaft' (single society), reflecting a shift away from traditional nuclear families toward individualistic living arrangements. This is particularly prevalent among the 'Generation Y' and 'Generation Z' cohorts who prioritize career and personal development before settling down.
Gender Nuance: While 'der Single' is grammatically masculine, it is frequently used as a generic term for both men and women. However, you will increasingly encounter 'die Single' or 'die Single-Frau' to specifically denote a female single person, although the masculine remains the standard dictionary entry.

Seit seiner Scheidung genießt er sein Leben als der Single in vollen Zügen.

Furthermore, the word is used in various compound nouns that describe the industry surrounding solo living. For instance, a Single-Börse is a dating website, and a Single-Wohnung is a small apartment designed for one person. It is important to distinguish between being a Single and being lonely. German speakers often emphasize that being a Single can be a positive, empowering choice (überzeugter Single), whereas einsam (lonely) carries a negative emotional connotation. The term is ubiquitous in advertisements for travel (Single-Reisen) and social events, highlighting how the market caters specifically to this demographic.

Viele Großstädte in Deutschland haben einen hohen Anteil an Singles.

Marketing Usage: Supermarkets often offer 'Single-Portionen' (single portions) of food, acknowledging that a significant portion of the population lives alone and does not want to waste food meant for families.

Bist du noch Single oder schon wieder vergeben?

Using der Single in a sentence requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its common predicate use. Most frequently, you will hear it used with the verb sein (to be). For example, 'Ich bin Single' (I am single). Note that in this specific construction, the article 'ein' is often dropped, much like when stating one's profession (e.g., 'Ich bin Lehrer'). However, when you use an adjective with the noun, the article returns: 'Er ist ein glücklicher Single.' This distinction is crucial for achieving natural-sounding German. The plural form is die Singles, following the English pluralization, which is common for loanwords ending in '-le' or '-el' in German.

Common Verb Pairings: The word is often paired with verbs like 'bleiben' (to stay/remain) or 'werden' (to become). 'Sie möchte lieber Single bleiben' suggests a conscious choice to avoid relationships. 'Nach der Trennung wurde er unfreiwillig zum Single' indicates an unwanted change in status.

Als Single hat man oft mehr Zeit für seine Hobbys und Freunde.

In more complex sentences, Single often appears as part of a prepositional phrase. 'Unter den Singles in Berlin gibt es viele Akademiker' (Among the singles in Berlin, there are many academics). Here, the noun remains in the plural dative form, but because it is a loanword ending in '-s', it does not take an additional '-n' in the dative plural, which is a common rule for most German nouns. Another important usage is in the context of events: 'Die Party ist nur für Singles gedacht' (The party is intended only for singles). This helps clarify the target audience for social gatherings.

Er ist ein überzeugter Single und vermisst keine Partnerschaft.

Dative Usage: 'Ich habe mich mit einem Single angefreundet.' (I became friends with a single person). Here, 'einem Single' is the dative masculine singular form.

Die Studie untersuchte das Konsumverhalten von Singles im Alter von 20 bis 40 Jahren.

If you are living in Germany, you will encounter the word Single in a variety of everyday situations. One of the most common places is in the media—specifically in lifestyle magazines, newspapers, and online blogs. Headlines like 'Die besten Städte für Singles' (The best cities for singles) or 'Warum immer mehr Deutsche Single bleiben' (Why more and more Germans remain single) are very common. In the world of television, dating shows like 'Der Bachelor' or 'Love Island' frequently use the term to describe their contestants. In these contexts, it often carries a connotation of being 'on the market' or looking for love, though this isn't always the case.

Urban Life: In cities like Berlin, the 'Single-Dasein' (being single) is a major topic of conversation. You'll hear it at parties when people ask, 'Bist du Single?' as a polite way to gauge romantic availability. It's less formal than asking about someone's marital status and fits the modern, fast-paced urban lifestyle.

Auf der Single-Party am Freitagabend war die Stimmung großartig.

Another significant area where this word pops up is in the economy and marketing. Real estate agents often advertise Single-Apartments, which are typically one-room flats in central locations. Travel agencies promote Single-Reisen, which are organized group trips for people traveling alone who want to meet others. Even in supermarkets, you might see 'Single-Küche' cookbooks or pre-packaged meals for one. In these instances, the word serves as a demographic label that helps businesses target a growing segment of the German population. It's also worth noting that in the music industry, 'die Single' (feminine) refers to a single song release, which is a different meaning but uses the same root word.

In München gibt es so viele Singles wie in kaum einer anderen deutschen Stadt.

Professional Settings: In HR or demographic studies, you might hear the term 'Single-Haushalt' to describe the growing trend of individuals living alone, which impacts urban planning and social services.

Die Werbung richtet sich gezielt an junge Singles.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using the word Single in German is confusing it with the legal term ledig. While in English 'single' can cover both the relationship status and the legal status (not married), German makes a sharp distinction. If you are filling out a tax form or a residency registration (Anmeldung), you must use ledig. Using 'Single' in these formal contexts would be considered incorrect and unprofessional. Conversely, calling yourself 'ledig' at a bar when someone asks about your relationship status might sound overly formal or even slightly robotic, as it focuses on your lack of a marriage certificate rather than your current romantic availability.

Confusion with 'Einzeln': Another common error is using 'Single' to describe individual items. In English, you might say 'a single sock' or 'a single ticket'. In German, you should use 'einzeln' for this purpose. Saying 'ein Single-Socken' would imply the sock is looking for a romantic partner, which is a humorous but unintended image.

Falsch: Ich brauche ein Single-Ticket. (Korrekt: Ein Einzelticket.)

Gender agreement can also be tricky. Because 'Single' is a masculine noun (der Single), learners often struggle with whether to change the gender when referring to a woman. While der Single is traditionally used for both, saying 'Sie ist ein Single' is correct, but 'Sie ist Single' (without the article) is more common and avoids the gendered article altogether. Some people try to feminize it into 'Singlin', but this is not standard German and should be avoided. Stick to 'die Single-Frau' or simply use 'Single' as a predicate without an article.

Falsch: Sie ist eine Singlin. (Korrekt: Sie ist Single.)

Pronunciation Pitfall: Even though it's an English word, Germans pronounce it with a slightly harder 'g' sound than some English dialects. Avoid the 'sin-juhl' pronunciation; it should be 'sing-uhl'.

Man sagt nicht: 'Ich habe einen Single-Hund', sondern 'einen einzelnen Hund'.

While der Single is the most modern and common term, German offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. Understanding these synonyms will help you navigate different social situations more effectively. For example, alleinstehend is a more formal, descriptive adjective often used in official reports or by older generations. It literally means 'standing alone' and describes someone without a partner or family living with them. It lacks the 'hip' or 'urban' vibe of Single.

Comparison: Single vs. Ledig

Single: Lifestyle-oriented, informal, implies romantic availability.
Ledig: Legal/Bureaucratic, means 'never married'. You can be 'ledig' but in a 10-year relationship.

Comparison: Single vs. Alleinstehend

Single: Focuses on the lack of a partner.
Alleinstehend: Focuses on the household situation (living alone). Often used for seniors.

Er ist nicht nur Single, sondern auch ein echter Junggeselle.

Another term you might encounter, especially in literature or when talking about men, is der Junggeselle (bachelor). This has a slightly old-fashioned or traditional feel to it. The female equivalent, die Junggesellin, is rarely used except in the context of a Junggesellinnenabschied (bachelorette party). If you want to be poetic or humorous, you might use Solist (soloist), though this is usually reserved for musicians. Finally, the word ungebunden (unattached/unbound) is a great way to describe someone who is single and enjoying their freedom without being tied down by responsibilities or a partner.

Viele Singles bezeichnen sich selbst lieber als 'ungebunden'.

The 'Solo' Alternative: In colloquial speech, you can say 'Ich lebe solo' or 'Ich bin solo'. It sounds a bit more casual than 'Single' and is often used in the context of being 'between relationships'.

Als alleinstehende Person hat man in der Steuererklärung andere Freibeträge.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In the music industry, 'die Single' (feminine) was introduced earlier to describe a small vinyl record with one song per side, while 'der Single' (masculine) for the person came later.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈsɪŋɡ(ə)l/

US /ˈsɪŋɡəl/

The stress is on the first syllable: SIN-gle.

Rime avec

Klingel Umzingel Schlingel Pringel Dschungel (near rhyme) Bündel (near rhyme) Spindel (near rhyme) Züngel

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'g' like a 'j' (as in 'singe').
Over-emphasizing the final 'l' sound.
Forgetting to capitalize the 'S' when writing in German.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'Signal'.
Using an English 's' that is too soft; German 's' at the start can be slightly more voiced.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy as it is an English loanword.

Écriture 2/5

Easy, but remember the capitalization and plural form.

Expression orale 1/5

Pronunciation is very similar to English.

Écoute 1/5

Easily recognizable in conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

allein Beziehung Mann Frau wohnen

Apprends ensuite

verheiratet geschieden verlobt ledig zusammenleben

Avancé

Lebensgefährte Fernbeziehung Einpersonenhaushalt Beziehungsunfähig Trennungsjahr

Grammaire à connaître

Capitalization of Nouns

Der Single (Always capitalize nouns in German).

Predicate Nominative

Ich bin Single (No article needed when describing status).

Loanword Plurals

Die Singles (Loanwords from English often take -s).

Compound Nouns

Single-Wohnung (Hyphen is often used with English loanwords).

Gender of Nouns

Der Single (Standard masculine gender for this person-noun).

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Exemples par niveau

Ich bin Single.

I am single.

No article 'ein' is needed here.

Ist er auch Single?

Is he also single?

Question form of 'sein'.

Meine Schwester ist Single.

My sister is single.

Feminine subject, but 'Single' stays the same.

Wir sind beide Singles.

We are both singles.

Plural form 'Singles'.

Er sucht einen Single.

He is looking for a single person.

Accusative masculine: 'einen Single'.

Bist du ein Single?

Are you a single person?

Using the article 'ein' emphasizes the noun.

Sie ist kein Single mehr.

She is not a single person anymore.

Negation with 'kein'.

Das ist ein Single-Haus.

That is a single-person house.

Compound noun.

Er lebt als glücklicher Single.

He lives as a happy single.

Adjective 'glücklicher' with masculine 'Single'.

In Berlin wohnen viele Singles.

Many singles live in Berlin.

Plural 'Singles' in the nominative.

Sie hat eine Single-Wohnung gemietet.

She rented a single-person apartment.

Compound noun 'Single-Wohnung'.

Bist du Single aus Überzeugung?

Are you single by choice?

Phrase 'aus Überzeugung'.

Er geht oft auf Single-Partys.

He often goes to singles parties.

Compound noun plural.

Mein Bruder ist schon lange Single.

My brother has been single for a long time.

Adverb 'schon lange'.

Es gibt spezielle Reisen für Singles.

There are special trips for singles.

Dative plural (no -n added to loanwords).

Warum bleibst du Single?

Why do you stay single?

Verb 'bleiben'.

Die Zahl der Singles in Deutschland steigt.

The number of singles in Germany is increasing.

Genitive plural 'der Singles'.

Als Single muss man alles alleine entscheiden.

As a single person, you have to decide everything alone.

Preposition 'als' with nominative.

Sie nutzt eine Single-Börse, um jemanden zu finden.

She uses a dating site to find someone.

Compound noun 'Single-Börse'.

Viele Singles fühlen sich in der Großstadt wohl.

Many singles feel comfortable in the big city.

Reflexive verb 'sich wohlfühlen'.

Er ist ein überzeugter Single und braucht keine Beziehung.

He is a convinced single and needs no relationship.

Adjective 'überzeugter' with masculine noun.

In diesem Supermarkt gibt es viele Single-Portionen.

There are many single portions in this supermarket.

Compound noun 'Single-Portionen'.

Das Leben als Single hat viele Vorteile.

Life as a single person has many advantages.

Dative after 'als' in some contexts, but nominative here.

Er hat sich als Single bei der Tanzschule angemeldet.

He signed up for the dance school as a single person.

Prepositional phrase.

Die Politik muss mehr für Singles in kleinen Wohnungen tun.

Politics must do more for singles in small apartments.

Accusative plural.

Unfreiwillige Singles leiden oft unter Einsamkeit.

Involuntary singles often suffer from loneliness.

Adjective declension.

Das Single-Dasein wird in den Medien oft romantisiert.

Being single is often romanticized in the media.

Compound noun 'Single-Dasein'.

Er betrachtet sich als moderner Single von heute.

He views himself as a modern single of today.

Reflexive 'sich betrachten als'.

Die Zielgruppe dieser Werbung sind junge Singles.

The target group of this advertisement is young singles.

Predicate nominative plural.

Es ist schwierig, als Single eine bezahlbare Wohnung zu finden.

It is difficult to find an affordable apartment as a single person.

Infinitive clause.

Viele Singles schätzen ihre Unabhängigkeit sehr.

Many singles value their independence highly.

Verb 'schätzen'.

Die Studie analysiert das Wahlverhalten von Singles.

The study analyzes the voting behavior of singles.

Genitive plural.

Die gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz von Singles hat zugenommen.

The social acceptance of singles has increased.

Genitive plural.

Oft wird das Phänomen der 'Singlegesellschaft' kritisch hinterfragt.

The phenomenon of the 'single society' is often critically questioned.

Passive voice.

Als Single ist man in steuerlicher Hinsicht oft benachteiligt.

As a single person, one is often disadvantaged in terms of taxes.

Adverbial phrase 'in steuerlicher Hinsicht'.

Die Kommerzialisierung des Single-Lebens ist unübersehbar.

The commercialization of single life is obvious.

Genitive compound.

Er genießt die Vorzüge seines Single-Status in vollen Zügen.

He enjoys the benefits of his single status to the fullest.

Idiom 'in vollen Zügen genießen'.

Die psychologischen Auswirkungen des langen Single-Daseins sind komplex.

The psychological effects of long-term singlehood are complex.

Genitive compound.

Viele Singles entscheiden sich bewusst gegen eine Familiengründung.

Many singles consciously decide against starting a family.

Reflexive 'sich entscheiden gegen'.

Das Bild des einsamen Singles entspricht oft nicht der Realität.

The image of the lonely single often does not correspond to reality.

Dative after 'entspricht'.

Die Atomisierung der Gesellschaft zeigt sich im Anstieg der Singles.

The atomization of society is evident in the increase of singles.

Sociological terminology.

Inwiefern korreliert das Single-Dasein mit urbaner Isolation?

To what extent does being single correlate with urban isolation?

Interrogative 'inwiefern'.

Die Prekarisierung trifft Singles in Ballungsräumen besonders hart.

Precarization hits singles in urban areas particularly hard.

Subject-verb-object.

Singles fungieren oft als Pioniere neuer Lebensentwürfe.

Singles often function as pioneers of new life concepts.

Verb 'fungieren als'.

Die demografische Schieflage wird durch die hohe Anzahl an Singles verschärft.

The demographic imbalance is exacerbated by the high number of singles.

Passive with 'durch'.

Man muss zwischen dem habituellen Single und dem situativen Single differenzieren.

One must differentiate between the habitual single and the situational single.

Academic 'differenzieren'.

Die Rezeption des Singles in der Gegenwartsliteratur ist vielfältig.

The reception of the single in contemporary literature is diverse.

Genitive singular.

Die Autonomie des Singles wird oft als höchstes Gut gepriesen.

The autonomy of the single is often praised as the highest good.

Passive with 'gepriesen'.

Synonymes

alleinstehend ledig solo ungebunden unverheiratet Junggeselle Solist Partnerlos

Antonymes

vergeben liiert verheiratet in einer Beziehung

Collocations courantes

überzeugter Single

unfreiwillig Single

Single sein

Single bleiben

Single-Haushalt

Single-Wohnung

Single-Börse

Single-Reise

Single-Dasein

Single-Leben

Phrases Courantes

Bist du noch Single?

— A common way to ask if someone is still unattached.

Wir haben uns lange nicht gesehen. Bist du noch Single?

Wieder Single sein

— To be single again after a breakup.

Nach fünf Jahren Beziehung ist sie jetzt wieder Single.

Glücklicher Single

— Someone who is happy being alone.

Man kann auch als glücklicher Single alt werden.

Ewiger Single

— Someone who is always single.

Mein Onkel ist ein ewiger Single.

Single-Party

— An event for people looking for partners.

Gehen wir am Freitag zur Single-Party?

Single-Küche

— Cooking for one person.

Dieses Kochbuch ist ideal für die Single-Küche.

Single-Status

— The state of being single.

Er hat seinen Single-Status auf Facebook geändert.

Als Single reisen

— To travel as a solo person.

Als Single reisen ist oft teurer wegen des Einzelzimmerzuschlags.

Single-Dasein genießen

— To enjoy being single.

Genieße dein Single-Dasein, solange du kannst!

Für Singles geeignet

— Suitable for people living alone.

Diese Wohnung ist perfekt für Singles geeignet.

Souvent confondu avec

der Single vs ledig

Ledig is legal status; Single is social status.

der Single vs einzeln

Einzeln is for single objects; Single is for people.

der Single vs einsam

Einsam means lonely; Single just means without a partner.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Solo tanzen"

— To be single or do things alone.

Er tanzt momentan lieber solo.

informal

"Das fünfte Rad am Wagen sein"

— To be the 'fifth wheel' (often felt by singles with couples).

Als einziger Single in der Gruppe fühlte ich mich wie das fünfte Rad am Wagen.

neutral

"Unter die Haube kommen"

— To get married (the opposite of being a single).

Wann kommst du endlich unter die Haube?

traditional

"Auf Brautschau sein"

— To be looking for a wife (for male singles).

Er ist heute Abend wieder auf Brautschau.

humorous

"Freiwild sein"

— To be 'fair game' (sometimes used for singles in dating).

Als Single auf dieser Party fühlte er sich wie Freiwild.

informal

"Sich die Hörner abstoßen"

— To sow one's wild oats (often as a single).

Er will sich erst noch die Hörner abstoßen, bevor er heiratet.

informal

"Fest im Sattel sitzen"

— To be in a stable relationship (opposite of single).

Er sitzt jetzt fest im Sattel und ist kein Single mehr.

informal

"Alte Jungfer"

— Old maid (derogatory term for an older single woman).

Niemand möchte als alte Jungfer bezeichnet werden.

derogatory

"Hahn im Korb sein"

— To be the only man in a group (often a single man).

Als einziger Single-Mann war er der Hahn im Korb.

informal

"Auf Solopfaden wandeln"

— To walk on solo paths (to be single).

Sie wandelt schon seit Jahren auf Solopfaden.

literary

Facile à confondre

der Single vs einzeln

Both translate to 'single' in English.

Use 'einzeln' for items and 'Single' for people.

Ein einzelner Schuh vs. Ein glücklicher Single.

der Single vs ledig

Both describe being unmarried.

Ledig is for official forms; Single is for lifestyle.

Familienstand: ledig vs. Ich bin momentan Single.

der Single vs allein

Both mean being by oneself.

Allein is an adverb/adjective for the moment; Single is a status.

Ich bin heute allein zu Haus vs. Ich bin seit Jahren Single.

der Single vs solo

Both mean being without a partner.

Solo is more casual and often used for a temporary state.

Er ist wieder solo.

der Single vs einzig

Both can mean 'one'.

Einzig means 'only' or 'unique'.

Mein einziger Freund vs. Ein Single-Leben.

Structures de phrases

Ich bin [Status].

Ich bin Single.

Er ist ein [Adjektiv] Single.

Er ist ein glücklicher Single.

Seit [Zeitpunkt] bin ich Single.

Seit zwei Jahren bin ich Single.

Als Single [Verb] man...

Als Single genießt man seine Freiheit.

Die Zahl der [Nomen] steigt.

Die Zahl der Singles steigt.

Es ist schwer, als Single [Infinitiv].

Es ist schwer, als Single eine Wohnung zu finden.

Trotz des [Genitiv] ist er...

Trotz des Single-Daseins ist er glücklich.

Inwiefern [Verb] das Single-Leben [Objekt]?

Inwiefern beeinflusst das Single-Leben die Gesellschaft?

Famille de mots

Noms

Single-Dasein

Single-Haushalt

Single-Börse

Single-Leben

Single-Wohnung

Single-Reise

Single-Frau

Single-Mann

Verbes

singeln (rare/slang: to be single)

Adjectifs

single (used as a predicate)

Apparenté

alleinstehend

ledig

unverheiratet

solo

ungebunden

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in urban areas and modern media.

Erreurs courantes

Ich bin ein Single. → Ich bin Single.
While not strictly wrong, the article is usually omitted when stating a status.
Ein Single-Ticket bitte. → Ein Einzelticket bitte.
'Single' is only for people, not for tickets or objects.
Sie ist eine Singlin. → Sie ist Single.
There is no feminine form 'Singlin'. Use 'Single' for both genders.
Auf dem Formular steht: Single. → Auf dem Formular steht: ledig.
Official forms use 'ledig', not 'Single'.
Die Singlesn in Berlin. → Die Singles in Berlin.
Loanwords ending in -s don't take an extra -n in the dative plural.

Astuces

Capitalization

Always capitalize 'Single' because it's a noun. Even if you use it like an adjective in 'Ich bin Single', it's still a noun.

No Article

When saying 'I am single', don't use 'ein'. Just say 'Ich bin Single'.

Urban vs Rural

You'll hear 'Single' much more often in cities like Berlin than in small villages.

Compound Words

Learn words like 'Single-Wohnung' to sound more like a native speaker.

Dating Apps

If you use dating apps in Germany, you will see 'Single' everywhere.

Official Forms

Never write 'Single' on a government form; use 'ledig'.

Clear G

Make sure to pronounce the 'g' in 'Single' clearly.

Single vs. Solo

'Solo' is slightly more casual than 'Single'.

Single Portions

Look for 'Single-Portionen' in supermarkets if you live alone.

Positive Connotation

Being a 'Single' in Germany is often seen as a sign of independence.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Single' song—it stands alone on a record, just like a 'Single' person stands alone without a partner.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person sitting alone at a small table for one in a busy German café, with a sign that says 'Single' on the table.

Word Web

Beziehung Dating Allein Freiheit Wohnung Partner Liebe Unabhängigkeit

Défi

Try to use 'der Single' in three different sentences today: one about yourself, one about a friend, and one about a city.

Origine du mot

The word 'Single' was borrowed from English into German in the second half of the 20th century. It became particularly popular in the 1970s and 80s as social structures shifted.

Sens originel : In English, 'single' comes from the Old French 'sengle', which stems from the Latin 'singulus' meaning 'one each' or 'individual'.

Germanic (borrowed from English, which has Latin roots).

Contexte culturel

Be careful not to assume that someone who is 'Single' is lonely; many people in Germany take pride in their 'Single-Dasein'.

English speakers should note that 'Single' in German is almost exclusively used for people, not for objects like 'a single room' (Einzelzimmer).

The movie 'Single By Contract' (Groupies bleiben nicht zum Frühstück) deals with single life. German pop songs often use the word 'Single' in their lyrics. The TV show 'Der Bachelor' is a prime example of 'Singles' looking for love.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Dating

Bist du Single?
Ich bin Single.
Single-Börse
Jemanden kennenlernen

Housing

Single-Wohnung
Allein wohnen
Miete für Singles
Ein-Zimmer-Appartement

Statistics

Single-Haushalt
Anzahl der Singles
Demografischer Wandel
Alleinstehend

Social Life

Single-Party
Mit Freunden ausgehen
Solo unterwegs
Ungebunden sein

Travel

Single-Reise
Einzelzimmer
Allein reisen
Zuschlag für Singles

Amorces de conversation

"Bist du eigentlich Single oder in einer Beziehung?"

"Was sind deiner Meinung nach die größten Vorteile des Single-Lebens?"

"Glaubst du, dass es in Großstädten einfacher ist, Single zu sein?"

"Hast du schon mal eine Single-Börse ausprobiert?"

"Warum gibt es heutzutage so viele Singles in Deutschland?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beschreibe dein Leben als Single oder wie es wäre, wenn du wieder Single wärst.

Denkst du, dass die Gesellschaft Singles benachteiligt? Warum oder warum nicht?

Was sind die Unterschiede zwischen 'allein sein' und 'einsam sein' für einen Single?

Reflektiere über den Trend der 'Singlegesellschaft' in modernen Städten.

Schreibe über eine Erfahrung, die du als Single auf einer Reise gemacht hast.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, it is a loanword from English that is fully integrated into the German language.

It is masculine: 'der Single'. However, it is used for both men and women.

Yes, 'die Single' or 'die Single-Frau' is increasingly common, but 'der Single' remains the standard.

'Single' is for your social life and dating; 'ledig' is for taxes and legal documents.

You say 'Ich bin Single'.

The plural is 'die Singles'.

No, for objects you should use 'einzeln' or 'einzig'.

It means someone who is single by choice and happy with that status.

There is no common verb; you use 'Single sein' or 'allein leben'.

It is neutral to informal. In very formal contexts, 'alleinstehend' is preferred.

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