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A2 noun #4,500 most common 9 min read

독신

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 독신 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 독신 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '독신' means someone is single or not married. You might see it in simple descriptions of people. It is a noun. You can think of it like the word 'single' in English when describing a person's status. Since A1 focuses on basic survival Korean, you won't use this word very often in daily conversation (where you'd use '혼자' or '솔로'), but it's good to recognize it in a basic text about a person's life. For example, '그는 독신입니다' (He is single). The word is made of two parts: '독' (alone) and '신' (body). Together they mean 'one person' or 'alone.'

At the A2 level, you can start using '독신' in simple sentences about lifestyle and society. You should understand that it is more formal than '솔로'. You will learn to pair it with other nouns, like '독신 생활' (single life). At this stage, you are learning to describe your environment and routines. If you are describing an uncle who never married, you might say, '우리 삼촌은 독신으로 사세요' (My uncle lives as a single person). You are also beginning to see this word in simple news headlines or social media posts about 'honbap' (eating alone) culture. It helps you describe people beyond just their names and jobs.

At the B1 level, you should understand the social implications of being '독신' in Korea. You can use it to discuss social trends, such as why more people are choosing to be single. You should be able to distinguish '독신' from '미혼' (unmarried) and '비혼' (choosing not to marry). You will encounter this word in intermediate reading materials about the '1인 가구' (one-person household) trend. You can also use it in the context of '독신주의' (the principle of remaining single). For example, you might explain, '경제적인 부담 때문에 독신을 선택하는 사람들이 늘고 있어요' (The number of people choosing to be single due to economic burden is increasing).

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '독신' in more complex discussions regarding demographics, urban planning, and cultural shifts. You should understand the nuance of '화려한 독신' (glamorous single) versus the traditional view of singlehood. You will see this word in editorials and documentaries. You can discuss the pros and cons of '독신 생활' using advanced grammar like '-다기보다는' (rather than). For example, '그는 독신이라기보다는 결혼을 잠시 미룬 미혼자일 뿐이다' (Rather than being a permanent single, he is just an unmarried person who has postponed marriage for a while). You should also be comfortable with related terms like '독신자용' (for single people).

At the C1 level, you should be able to use '독신' in academic or professional discourse. You understand its legal and sociological weight. You can analyze how the '독신' population affects the national economy, housing market, and welfare system. You are familiar with literary uses of the word where it might represent existential solitude. You can use it in high-level debates about the 'traditional family unit' versus 'individualism.' Your vocabulary should include '자발적 독신' (voluntary singlehood) and '비자발적 독신' (involuntary singlehood). You can write essays exploring the psychological impact of long-term '독신' life on the elderly population.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '독신' is near-native. You understand the deep historical context of the word and how its perception has evolved from the Joseon dynasty to the modern era. You can use the word in philosophical contexts, discussing the 'ontology of the single body' or the 'sociology of solitude.' You can interpret subtle nuances in literature where '독신' might be used as a metaphor for political or social isolation. You are capable of discussing the intersectionality of '독신' status with gender, class, and age at a highly sophisticated level, using precise and varied vocabulary to describe every shade of being alone in society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

독신 in 30 Seconds

Formal noun meaning 'single' or 'unmarried'.
Commonly used in social, legal, and demographic contexts.
Refers to both the state and the person (독신자).
Contrasts with '미혼' (not yet married) and '비혼' (choosing not to marry).

The Korean word 독신 (獨身) literally translates to 'alone body' or 'single body.' In a practical sense, it refers to a person who is currently unmarried or lives a life independent of a spouse. While the English word 'single' can often imply someone who is just not in a relationship at the moment, 독신 carries a slightly more formal and permanent weight. It is often used to describe one's social status in official documents, sociological discussions, or when someone has made a conscious decision to remain unmarried for the long term. In modern Korea, this term has become increasingly relevant as the number of one-person households continues to rise due to economic, social, and personal shifts.

Formal Status: Used in census data, legal forms, and news reports to categorize individuals who are not married.

Lifestyle Choice: Often associated with the term '독신주의' (singlehood philosophy), referring to people who choose not to marry to maintain independence.

그녀는 평생 독신으로 살기로 결심했습니다. (She decided to live as a single person for the rest of her life.)

Historically, the expectation in Korea was for everyone to marry by a certain age. Therefore, being 독신 was sometimes viewed with pity or curiosity. However, in the 21st century, the narrative has shifted significantly. The rise of 'honbap' (eating alone) and 'honsul' (drinking alone) culture has normalized the 독신 lifestyle. It is no longer seen as a failure to find a partner, but rather as a valid and often preferred way of life that prioritizes career, personal growth, and freedom from traditional familial obligations.

현대 사회에서는 독신 가구가 급격히 증가하고 있습니다. (In modern society, single-person households are increasing rapidly.)

Economic Context: Marketers focus on '독신자' (single people) as a powerful consumer group with high discretionary income.

Furthermore, the nuances between 독신 and 비혼 (non-marriage) are important. While 독신 is a state, 비혼 is a proactive stance against the institution of marriage. You will hear 독신 in documentaries, news, and serious literature more often than in casual coffee shop chats where 'solo' or 'unmarried' might be used. Understanding this word helps you grasp the changing demographic landscape of South Korea, where the 'traditional family' model is being challenged by the 'independent individual' model.

Using 독신 correctly requires understanding its role as a noun. It is most frequently paired with the particle '으로' (as) to describe a state of living, or with '자' (person) to describe the individual. Because it is a formal word, it appears in structures that discuss societal trends or personal life philosophies.

그는 독신 생활을 즐기고 있습니다. (He is enjoying his life as a single person.)

In this example, '독신 생활' (single life) functions as a compound noun. This is a very common way to use the word. You can also use it to describe a person's identity. For instance, '독신자' (single person) is the standard way to refer to someone who is single in a demographic context.

Sentence Pattern: [Noun] + 독신: 평생 독신 (Single for life), 자발적 독신 (Voluntary singlehood).

When discussing goals or decisions, you might use the verb '고집하다' (to insist on/stick to). '독신을 고집하다' means to insist on remaining single. This implies a strong will or a specific lifestyle choice. Conversely, '독신에서 벗어나다' means to escape singlehood, usually by getting married.

많은 젊은이들이 경제적인 이유로 독신을 선택합니다. (Many young people choose to be single for economic reasons.)

Another important usage is in the phrase '독신주의자' (a person who believes in singlehood). This is used for someone who has a philosophical commitment to not marrying. It is much stronger than simply saying someone is single. If you meet someone who says, "저는 독신주의자예요," they are telling you they have no intention of getting married, ever.

이 아파트는 독신 직장인들에게 인기가 많습니다. (This apartment is popular among single office workers.)

In a business or real estate context, '독신' is used to define a target market. Phrases like '독신 가구' (single household) or '독신자용' (for single people) are ubiquitous in urban planning and retail marketing. By learning these patterns, you can transition from simple sentences to complex discussions about society.

You will encounter 독신 in various settings, ranging from news broadcasts to social documentaries and serious literature. It is the 'official' word for singlehood. If you are watching a news report about Korea's declining birth rate, the reporter will invariably mention the '증가하는 독신 인구' (increasing single population). This is because '독신' provides a neutral, clinical description of marital status.

정부는 독신 가구를 위한 새로운 주거 정책을 발표했습니다. (The government announced a new housing policy for single-person households.)

In K-Dramas, especially those focusing on career-driven protagonists, you might hear a character described as a '화려한 독신' (glamorous single). This term is used to describe someone who is successful, wealthy, and enjoys their independence. It contrasts with the older, more negative stereotypes of single people. When a character's parents are pressuring them to marry, the character might retort, "저는 독신으로 살 거예요!" (I'm going to live as a single person!), signaling a firm stance against family expectations.

News & Media: Used to discuss demographic shifts, economic trends, and social changes.

You will also see this word on official forms. When filling out a survey or a housing application, the marital status section might have '독신' or '미혼' (unmarried) as an option. While '미혼' implies 'not yet married' (with the expectation of marriage later), '독신' is more about the state of being alone regardless of future plans. In academic settings, sociologists use '독신' to study the psychological effects of living alone and the changing structure of the Korean family unit.

그 영화는 40대 독신 남성의 일상을 담담하게 그려냅니다. (The movie calmly depicts the daily life of a single man in his 40s.)

In literature, 독신 is often used to explore themes of loneliness, independence, and existentialism. A protagonist might reflect on their '독신 생활' as a space for creative freedom or a source of profound solitude. Understanding the weight of this word allows you to appreciate the subtle social commentary in Korean media regarding the tension between traditional collective values and modern individualism.

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make is using 독신 in casual dating contexts. In English, if someone asks, "Are you single?" they are usually asking if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend. In Korean, if you ask someone, "독신이에요?" it sounds very formal, almost as if you are asking about their legal status or their lifelong philosophy on marriage. For casual dating contexts, use '솔로' (solo) or '애인 없어요' (I don't have a lover).

❌ 저 지금 독신이에요. (I am single right now - sounds too formal/legal).
✅ 저 지금 솔로예요. (I am single/solo right now - natural for dating).

Another mistake is confusing 독신 with 미혼. While they both mean 'unmarried,' 미혼 (未婚) literally means 'not yet married.' It carries a subtle nuance that the person might marry in the future. 독신 (獨身) focuses on the 'alone' aspect and is more neutral about future intentions. Using '독신' for a 20-year-old student might sound a bit intense, whereas '미혼' is the standard administrative term.

Mistake: Part of Speech: Using '독신' as a verb. You cannot say '독신하다'. You must say '독신으로 살다' (live as a single) or '독신이다' (to be a single person).

A third mistake is failing to distinguish between 독신 and 비혼. As mentioned earlier, 비혼 is a relatively new and politically charged term. It is used by people who are making a conscious social statement against marriage. If you call someone '독신' when they identify as '비혼', you might be missing the ideological nuance of their choice. '독신' is a description; '비혼' is an identity.

❌ 그 남자는 독신을 했습니다. (He 'did' single - grammatically incorrect).
✅ 그 남자는 독신으로 살기로 했습니다. (He decided to live as a single person).

Lastly, don't confuse 독신 with 혼자. '혼자' simply means 'alone' (adverb). You can eat '혼자' but you cannot eat '독신'. '독신' is your status, while '혼자' describes the manner in which you are doing an action. Mixing these up is a common beginner error that can make your Korean sound unnatural.

To truly master the concept of 'singlehood' in Korean, you need to understand the spectrum of words available. 독신 sits in the middle as a formal, descriptive noun. Let's compare it with other common terms used to describe people who are not married or are alone.

독신 (Dok-sin) vs. 미혼 (Mi-hon): '독신' emphasizes the state of living alone or being a single unit. '미혼' literally means 'not yet married' and is the standard term for marital status on forms. '미혼' assumes marriage is a future possibility, while '독신' is more neutral.

독신 (Dok-sin) vs. 비혼 (Bi-hon): '비혼' is a modern term meaning 'not marrying' by choice. It is a proactive, often feminist or social-conscious term. While a '독신' person is just single, a '비혼' person is someone who intentionally rejects the institution of marriage.

그녀는 독신이라기보다 비혼주의자에 가깝습니다. (She is more of a 'non-marriage' proponent than just a single person.)

Then there is the casual '솔로' (Solo). This is borrowed from English and is used almost exclusively in the context of dating. If you don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend, you are a '솔로'. You wouldn't use '독신' in a casual conversation with friends about your dating life unless you were being intentionally dramatic or formal.

독신 (Dok-sin) vs. 홀몸 (Hol-mom): '홀몸' is a more native Korean (pure Korean) way of saying someone is alone, often used to describe someone who has no family to rely on. It can also mean a woman who is not pregnant. It carries a more emotive, sometimes sadder tone than the clinical '독신'.

In professional settings, you might also hear '1인 가구' (one-person household). This is a purely demographic and economic term. While a '독신' person lives in a '1인 가구', the latter is used when discussing housing, taxes, or statistics. Using '독신' in a statistical report about housing might sound slightly less professional than '1인 가구'.

요즘은 독신 남성들을 위한 요리 교실이 인기입니다. (Cooking classes for single men are popular these days.)

By choosing the right word from this list, you can show a high level of Korean proficiency. Use '솔로' with friends, '미혼' on forms, '비혼' when discussing social choices, and '독신' when describing the general state or lifestyle of being unmarried in a serious context.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The Hanja character 獨 (독) is the same one used in '독립' (independence) and '독학' (self-study). It emphasizes self-reliance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK tɔkɕin

US dɔksin

Equal stress on both syllables.

Rhymes With

확신 (hwak-sin - conviction) 혁신 (hyeok-sin - innovation) 통신 (tong-sin - communication) 여신 (yeo-sin - goddess) 불신 (bul-sin - distrust) 등신 (deung-sin - fool - *caution*) 심신 (sim-sin - mind and body) 최신 (choe-sin - newest)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '신' like 'sin' (as in bad deed). In Korean, 'ㅅ' before 'ㅣ' sounds like 'sh'.
Making the 'k' in '독' too breathy. It should be a crisp stop.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Common in news and books, easy to recognize.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding of Sino-Korean particles.

Speaking 3/5

Must distinguish from 'solo' in casual settings.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, often used in media.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

결혼 혼자 사람 살다 친구

Learn Next

미혼 비혼 이혼 가구 주의자

Advanced

인구통계 가부장제 저출산 고독사 주체적

Grammar to Know

-(으)로 (Status)

독신으로 살다 (Live as a single person).

-주의자 (Ideology)

독신주의자 (A singlehood proponent).

-인 (Adnominal Noun)

독신인 친구 (A friend who is single).

-자 (Person suffix)

독신자 (A single person).

-용 (For use by)

독신자용 (For single people).

Examples by Level

그는 독신입니다.

He is single.

Noun + 입니다 (to be)

독신은 혼자 살아요.

A single person lives alone.

Topic marker -은

제 친구는 독신이에요.

My friend is single.

Polite ending -이에요

그녀는 독신입니까?

Is she single?

Question form -입니까?

독신 남자가 있어요.

There is a single man.

Noun modifying noun

저는 독신이 아니에요.

I am not single.

Negative form -이 아니에요

독신은 자유로워요.

Single people are free.

Adjective ending -워요

그 배우는 독신이에요.

That actor is single.

Subject marker -는

그녀는 평생 독신으로 살았어요.

She lived as a single person her whole life.

-으로 (as a status)

독신 생활은 아주 편해요.

Single life is very comfortable.

Compound noun: 독신 생활

요즘 독신 가구가 많아졌어요.

These days, there are many single-person households.

Past tense of 'become' -아졌어요

독신자들을 위한 식당이 있어요.

There are restaurants for single people.

-를 위한 (for the sake of)

그는 독신이지만 외롭지 않아요.

He is single, but he is not lonely.

-지만 (but)

독신으로 사는 것이 꿈이에요.

Living as a single person is my dream.

Gerund form -는 것

제 형은 독신주의자예요.

My older brother is a proponent of singlehood.

-주의자 (proponent/ist)

독신 여행객들이 늘고 있습니다.

The number of single travelers is increasing.

-고 있다 (progressive)

그는 경제적 자유를 위해 독신을 선택했다.

He chose to be single for economic freedom.

-를 위해 (for)

독신 생활의 장단점을 토론해 봅시다.

Let's discuss the pros and cons of single life.

-어 봅시다 (let's try)

그녀는 독신으로서의 삶을 즐기고 있다.

She is enjoying her life as a single person.

-로서 (as a status)

정부는 독신자를 위한 세금 혜택을 검토 중이다.

The government is reviewing tax benefits for single people.

-중이다 (in the middle of)

독신 가구의 비중이 전체의 30%를 넘었다.

The proportion of single households has exceeded 30%.

Subject marker -의

많은 이들이 독신을 고집하는 이유는 무엇일까?

What is the reason many people insist on being single?

Noun modifying clause -는

독신 생활을 하면 자기 계발 시간이 많아진다.

If you live a single life, you get more time for self-development.

-하면 (if)

그녀는 독신이지만 친구들과 자주 모임을 갖는다.

She is single but often has gatherings with friends.

Object marker -을

독신 가구의 증가는 소비 패턴의 변화를 가져왔다.

The increase in single households has brought changes in consumption patterns.

-를 가져오다 (to bring about)

그녀는 화려한 독신 생활을 뒤로하고 결혼을 결심했다.

She left her glamorous single life behind and decided to get married.

-를 뒤로하고 (leaving behind)

독신자들을 겨냥한 소형 가전제품이 인기다.

Small home appliances targeting single people are popular.

-를 겨냥한 (targeting)

독신으로 사는 것이 사회적 고립을 의미하지는 않는다.

Living as a single person does not necessarily mean social isolation.

-는 것은 아니다 (double negative/partial negation)

그는 평생 독신을 고수하며 예술 활동에 전념했다.

He stuck to being single his whole life and devoted himself to art.

-하며 (while/and)

독신 여성의 사회적 지위가 과거보다 향상되었다.

The social status of single women has improved compared to the past.

-보다 향상되다 (improved than)

정부는 독신 노인들의 고독사 문제를 해결해야 한다.

The government must solve the problem of lonely deaths among the single elderly.

-해야 한다 (must)

독신주의가 젊은 층 사이에서 하나의 문화로 자리 잡았다.

Singlehood has established itself as a culture among the youth.

-로 자리 잡다 (to establish as)

독신 가구의 급증은 주택 시장의 구조적 변화를 야기했다.

The surge in single households caused structural changes in the housing market.

-를 야기하다 (to cause/trigger)

자발적 독신은 개인의 가치관과 라이프스타일의 선택이다.

Voluntary singlehood is a choice of personal values and lifestyle.

Noun + 이다 (to be)

독신자들의 심리적 복지를 위한 다각적인 접근이 필요하다.

A multilateral approach for the psychological welfare of single people is necessary.

-를 위한 (for)

그녀의 소설은 독신 여성의 내면세계를 섬세하게 묘사한다.

Her novel delicately describes the inner world of a single woman.

-를 묘사하다 (to describe)

독신이라는 상태가 주는 자유와 고독은 동전의 양면과 같다.

The freedom and solitude given by the state of being single are like two sides of a coin.

-와 같다 (to be like)

현대 철학에서 독신은 주체적인 삶의 한 형태로 논의된다.

In modern philosophy, singlehood is discussed as a form of independent living.

-로 논의되다 (to be discussed as)

독신 세대의 등장은 전통적인 가족 개념을 해체하고 있다.

The emergence of the single generation is dismantling the traditional concept of family.

-를 해체하다 (to dismantle)

노년기 독신 가구의 빈곤 문제는 시급히 해결해야 할 과제다.

The problem of poverty in elderly single households is an urgent task to be solved.

-해야 할 (to have to)

독신의 존재론적 의미는 타자와의 관계 속에서 재정의된다.

The ontological meaning of singlehood is redefined within the relationship with others.

Passive voice -되다

그 문학 작품은 독신을 통해 인간 본연의 고독을 탐구한다.

That literary work explores the inherent solitude of human beings through singlehood.

-를 통해 (through)

독신 가구의 파편화된 삶은 도시 공간의 재구성을 촉구한다.

The fragmented lives of single households urge the reconstruction of urban spaces.

-를 촉구하다 (to urge)

자본주의 체제 하에서 독신은 매력적인 소비 주체로 포섭된다.

Under the capitalist system, single people are subsumed as attractive consumers.

-로 포섭되다 (to be subsumed/co-opted)

독신주의의 확산은 가부장적 질서에 대한 저항의 성격을 띤다.

The spread of singlehood takes on the character of resistance against the patriarchal order.

-의 성격을 띠다 (to take on the character of)

사료에 따르면 조선 시대에도 자발적 독신자들이 존재했음을 알 수 있다.

According to historical records, we can see that voluntary single people existed even in the Joseon Dynasty.

-했음을 알 수 있다 (can know that)

독신이라는 사회적 범주는 시대의 요구에 따라 끊임없이 변주되어 왔다.

The social category of 'single' has been constantly varied according to the demands of the times.

-어 왔다 (has been doing)

현대인의 독신은 고립이 아닌, 주체적 고독의 향유로 이해되어야 한다.

The singlehood of modern people should be understood not as isolation, but as the enjoyment of independent solitude.

A가 아닌 B (Not A but B)

Common Collocations

독신 생활

독신 가구

독신주의자

평생 독신

자발적 독신

독신 남성/여성

독신자용

화려한 독신

독신을 고집하다

독신 귀족

Common Phrases

독신으로 살다

— To live as a single person.

그는 죽을 때까지 독신으로 살았다.

독신을 선언하다

— To declare oneself single (often implying non-marriage).

그녀는 가족 앞에서 독신을 선언했다.

독신 가구 비중

— The proportion of single households.

서울의 독신 가구 비중이 높다.

독신자 혜택

— Benefits for single people.

독신자 혜택이 더 많아져야 한다.

독신 아파트

— An apartment designed for one person.

독신 아파트는 보안이 중요하다.

독신 여행

— Solo traveling.

독신 여행은 자신을 찾는 시간이다.

독신 문화

— Single culture.

독신 문화가 빠르게 확산되고 있다.

독신 동호회

— A club for single people.

독신 동호회에서 친구를 만났다.

독신 세금

— Single tax (often metaphorical or referring to lack of deductions).

독신 세금이 너무 비싸게 느껴진다.

독신 노인

— A single elderly person.

독신 노인을 위한 봉사 활동.

Often Confused With

독신 vs 미혼

Means 'not yet married'; '독신' means being alone/single as a state.

독신 vs 비혼

A proactive choice not to marry; '독신' is a more general description.

독신 vs 솔로

Casual English loanword for dating; '독신' is formal for marriage status.

Idioms & Expressions

"화려한 독신"

— A 'glamorous single' person who is rich and successful.

그녀는 모두가 부러워하는 화려한 독신이다.

Neutral

"독신 귀족"

— A wealthy single person who spends money on themselves.

백화점은 독신 귀족들을 타겟으로 한다.

Informal

"혼자가 편하다"

— Being alone is comfortable (common sentiment among 독신).

결혼보다는 혼자가 편해서 독신을 택했다.

Neutral

"독신을 고수하다"

— To stubbornly remain single.

그는 부모님의 성화에도 독신을 고수했다.

Formal

"독신 탈출"

— Escaping singlehood (getting married).

드디어 친구가 독신 탈출에 성공했다.

Informal

"독신 만세"

— Hurray for singlehood!

자유로운 삶이 최고다, 독신 만세!

Slang

"기러기 아빠"

— A 'wild goose father' (technically married but living as 독신 while family is abroad).

그는 5년째 기러기 아빠로 독신 생활 중이다.

Neutral

"솔로 탈출"

— Getting a boyfriend/girlfriend (casual version of 독신 탈출).

올해는 꼭 솔로 탈출하고 싶어.

Slang

"혼밥족"

— People who eat alone (associated with 독신).

식당에 혼밥족을 위한 자리가 늘었다.

Informal

"비혼식"

— A 'non-wedding' ceremony to celebrate remaining single.

그녀는 친구들을 초대해 비혼식을 열었다.

Modern

Easily Confused

독신 vs 혼자

Both mean 'alone'.

'혼자' is an adverb/noun for doing things alone. '독신' is a marital status.

혼자 밥을 먹다 (O), 독신 밥을 먹다 (X).

독신 vs 독립

Both imply being on one's own.

'독립' means independence (from parents/country). You can be married and 독립.

부모님으로부터 독립했다.

독신 vs 고립

Both involve being alone.

'고립' is negative isolation; '독신' is a neutral social status.

사회적 고립을 피해야 한다.

독신 vs 단신

Both mean 'single person'.

'단신' is usually for someone away from their family temporarily.

단신 부임 (moving to a post alone).

독신 vs 홀몸

Both mean 'alone'.

'홀몸' is pure Korean and can also mean 'not pregnant'.

홀몸도 아닌데 조심해라 (You are pregnant, so be careful).

Sentence Patterns

N은 독신입니다.

그는 독신입니다.

독신으로 살다.

저는 평생 독신으로 살 거예요.

N을 위해 독신을 선택하다.

자유를 위해 독신을 선택했어요.

독신 가구가 증가하다.

최근 독신 가구가 급격히 증가했다.

독신이라는 상태.

독신이라는 상태는 자유를 준다.

독신의 존재론적 의미.

독신의 존재론적 의미를 고찰하다.

독신주의자이다.

제 친구는 철저한 독신주의자입니다.

독신 생활이 Adj.

독신 생활이 아주 즐겁습니다.

Word Family

Nouns

독신자

독신주의

독신주의자

독신 생활

독신 가구

Verbs

독신으로 살다

독신을 유지하다

독신을 선택하다

Adjectives

독신인

미혼

비혼

이혼

사별

1인 가구

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in media and social discussions.

Common Mistakes

저는 독신해요. → 저는 독신이에요.
'독신' is a noun, not a verb. Use the copula '이다'.
독신 밥을 먹어요. → 혼자 밥을 먹어요.
'독신' is a status, '혼자' is the adverb for the action of being alone.
그는 독신주의를 했어요. → 그는 독신주의자예요.
You don't 'do' singlehood; you 'are' a proponent of it.
미혼과 독신은 똑같아요. → 미혼은 'not yet', 독신은 'alone'.
While similar, the nuance of 'yet to marry' vs 'living alone' is different.
독신 가구의 사람. → 독신자.
'독신자' is a more natural way to refer to the person in a single household.

Tips

Sino-Korean Roots

Learn 獨 (Alone) and 身 (Body) to easily remember this and related words like 독립 and 신체.

Changing Views

In Korea, being 독신 is increasingly seen as a sign of success and independence rather than loneliness.

Noun Pairs

Always pair 독신 with words like 생활, 가구, or 주의 to sound more like a native speaker.

Formality Check

Use '독신' in debates or essays; use '솔로' at the pub with friends.

Market Trends

If you work in marketing, '독신자' is a key demographic term for the 'Single Economy'.

News Keywords

When you hear '1인 가구', expect '독신' to follow shortly after in the discussion.

Official Forms

When a form asks for marital status, '미혼' is common, but '독신' might appear in surveys.

Self-Introduction

Saying '저는 독신입니다' sounds very firm. If you're open to dating, say '지금은 혼자예요'.

Context Clues

In novels, '독신' often sets a mood of quiet contemplation or freedom.

Sensitivity

Avoid asking older people why they are '독신' unless you are very close, as it can be a sensitive topic.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Dog' (독) and 'Seen' (신). A 'Dog' that is 'Seen' wandering alone is a '독신' dog. (A bit silly, but helps with the sound!)

Visual Association

Imagine a single, stylish apartment with one coffee cup and one book on the table.

Word Web

Independence Unmarried Single Alone Freedom 1-person household Non-marriage Solo

Challenge

Try to find 3 news articles in Korean that use the word '독신' and see what the topic is.

Word Origin

From the Hanja 獨身 (독신). 獨 (독) means 'alone' or 'single'. 身 (신) means 'body' or 'person'.

Original meaning: A single body; an individual without a companion.

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound pitying when calling someone '독신'. It is better to use '미혼' or '비혼' depending on their preference.

In English, 'single' covers dating and marriage status. In Korean, '독신' is strictly about not being married.

나 혼자 산다 (I Live Alone) - A popular TV show about single celebrities. 독신천하 (Single World) - A 2006 drama exploring single life. The 'Honbap' trend - Eating alone as a single person.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Government Survey

독신 가구입니까?
미혼이신가요?
가족 구성원 수
1인 가구 혜택

Dating Discussion

독신주의자세요?
결혼 계획이 없어요
혼자가 편해요
자유롭고 싶어요

Real Estate

독신자용 원룸
1인 가구 추천
보안이 좋은 아파트
역세권 오피스텔

News Report

독신 인구 급증
사회적 트렌드
비혼 문화 확산
경제적 요인

Small Talk

삼촌은 독신이세요
평생 혼자 살 거래요
화려한 독신이네요
부러워요

Conversation Starters

"요즘 한국에서 독신 가구가 늘어나는 이유가 뭐라고 생각하세요?"

"평생 독신으로 사는 것에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"주변에 독신주의자인 친구가 있나요?"

"독신 생활의 가장 큰 장점은 무엇이라고 생각하세요?"

"나중에 독신으로 살고 싶으세요, 아니면 결혼하고 싶으세요?"

Journal Prompts

내가 만약 평생 독신으로 산다면 어떤 삶을 살고 싶은지 적어보세요.

독신 생활과 결혼 생활의 차이점에 대해 비교하는 글을 써보세요.

우리 사회가 독신자들을 위해 어떤 정책을 만들어야 할까요?

화려한 독신이라는 말에 대해 본인의 생각을 정리해 보세요.

독신으로 살 때 느낄 수 있는 자유와 외로움에 대해 써보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'미혼'은 아직 결혼을 하지 않은 상태를 말하며, 주로 서류나 행정적인 맥락에서 쓰입니다. '독신'은 배우자 없이 혼자 사는 상태나 그 사람을 뜻하며, 좀 더 포괄적이고 생활 방식을 강조하는 느낌입니다.

뉴스, 신문, 법적 서류, 혹은 자신의 인생 철학을 진지하게 말할 때는 '독신'을 씁니다. 친구들과 연애 이야기를 할 때는 '솔로'가 훨씬 자연스럽습니다.

결혼을 하지 않고 평생 혼자 살겠다는 뚜렷한 신념이나 생각을 가진 사람을 말합니다.

네, 현재 배우자가 없는 상태라면 이혼한 사람도 '독신' 또는 '독신자'라고 부를 수 있습니다.

혼자서 살림을 꾸리는 1인 가구를 공식적으로 부르는 말입니다.

네, 보통 경제적으로 여유 있고 자신의 삶을 즐기며 멋지게 사는 싱글을 긍정적으로 표현할 때 씁니다.

아니요, '독신'은 결혼할 나이가 된 성인에게만 사용하는 말입니다.

결혼한 상태를 뜻하는 '기혼'이 가장 직접적인 반대말입니다.

네, 한자가 같고 의미도 거의 동일하게 사용됩니다.

최근 젊은 층에서는 결혼을 '안' 한다는 주체적인 의지를 담은 '비혼'이라는 단어를 더 선호하는 경향이 있습니다.