Translation guide
How to talk about being single in Japanese, from stating your status to describing the single life.
The speaker wants to say that they are not married or not in a relationship.
The speaker wants to talk about the experience or perks of being single.
The speaker wants to emphasize that they are single intentionally or due to a situation.
Means 'choosing to stay single' or 'daring to be single'. Implies a conscious decision.
あえて独身でいる人も増えている。
More people are choosing to stay single.
English uses 'single' as an adjective (I am single), but Japanese prefers noun-based expressions like 独身 (unmarried person) or verb phrases like 彼氏がいない (don't have a boyfriend). There is no direct adjective equivalent.
独身ですか？
Are you single?
独身 is the everyday word for 'single/unmarried'. 未婚 is more formal and often used in documents or statistics. In casual conversation, 独身 is preferred.
3年間独身です。
I've been single for three years.
独身にもいいところはある。
Being single has its advantages.
Noun meaning 'single/unmarried person'. Can be used in casual statements like '独身だよ'.
まだ独身だよ。
I'm still single.
Casual phrase meaning 'I don't have a boyfriend'. Often used by women, but can be used by anyone. Implies not in a romantic relationship.
今、彼氏いないんだ。
I don't have a boyfriend right now.
Casual phrase meaning 'I don't have a girlfriend'. Often used by men.
彼女いない歴＝年齢です。
I've been single my whole life (lit. years without a girlfriend = my age).
Formal term for 'unmarried', often used on official forms.
婚姻状況：未婚
Marital status: unmarried
Means 'single life' or 'bachelor life'. Neutral and commonly used.
独身生活を楽しんでいます。
I'm enjoying the single life.
Literally 'living alone'. Often associated with being single, but can apply to anyone living by themselves.
一人暮らしは気楽です。
Living alone is carefree.
A slightly poetic or literary term for being single/alone. Not common in daily conversation.
独り身の気ままな休日。
A carefree holiday for a single person.
Simply 'not getting married'. Can be a statement of intent or description.
私は結婚しないつもりです。
I don't intend to get married.
Means 'always single' or 'single forever'. Often used self-deprecatingly or as a statement of fact.
このまま、ずっと独身かも。
I might stay single forever like this.