single-parent
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single-parent
Describes a person who raises and cares for one or more children without a partner.
Als alleinerziehende Mutter hat sie oft wenig Zeit für sich selbst.
As a single mother, she often has little time for herself.
The word is a compound of 'allein' (alone) and 'erziehend' (raising/bringing up). 'Erziehend' is the present participle of the verb 'erziehen' (to raise/bring up). Literally, it therefore means 'a person who raises children alone.'
Er ist seit fünf Jahren alleinerziehender Vater.
He has been a single father for five years.
The adjective 'alleinerziehend' (single-parent) is very often used as a noun to refer to the person. In that case, people say 'der Alleinerziehende' (the male single parent) or 'die Alleinerziehende' (the female single parent).
Für Alleinerziehende gibt es besondere staatliche Unterstützung.
There is special state support for single parents.
The word can also stand after a verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'bleiben' (to remain) to describe a person's situation. In this case, the adjective is not declined.
Nach der Trennung war sie plötzlich alleinerziehend.
After the separation, she was suddenly a single parent.
single / detached
Both words can describe a person without a partner or spouse. „Alleinerziehend“ additionally says that this person raises and cares for children without a partner, while „alleinstehend“ refers only to relationship status. For a mother without a partner, either one or both words may fit, depending on what is being said.
Nach der Trennung ist Anna alleinerziehend und kümmert sich allein um ihre Kinder.
After the separation, Anna is a single parent and takes care of her children on her own.
Nach der Trennung ist Anna alleinstehend, auch wenn sie weiter mit ihren Kindern lebt.
After the separation, Anna is single, even though she continues to live with her children.
