der Single
single
A person who lives without a steady partner.
EXAMPLE
Seit der Trennung ist er Single und hat keine neue Beziehung angefangen.
He has been single since the breakup and hasn't started a new relationship.
der Single
single
der Single, die Singles
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Single, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Singles |
| genitive | des Single |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Single | die Singles |
| accusative | den Single | die Singles |
| dative | dem Single | den Singles |
| genitive | des Single des Singles | der Singles |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Without an article
When stating someone's relationship status, „Single“ usually comes after „sein“ (to be) or „bleiben“ (to remain) without an article.
EXAMPLE
Meine Schwester ist seit zwei Jahren Single und möchte vorerst Single bleiben.
My sister has been single for two years and wants to remain single for the time being.
With „als“
With „als Single“ (as a single person), you can describe how someone lives or experiences something in this situation. This phrase often occurs with verbs such as „leben“ (to live), „wohnen“ (to live / reside), or „reisen“ (to travel).
EXAMPLE
Als Single wohne ich mit zwei Freunden in einer WG.
As a single person, I live with two friends in a shared apartment.
Typical collocations
Common collocations are „überzeugter Single“ (convinced single person), „glücklicher Single“ (happy single person), and „unfreiwilliger Single“ (involuntary single person). The adjectives show how the person views their relationship status or whether they chose it themselves.
EXAMPLE
Er bezeichnet sich als überzeugten Single und möchte keine feste Beziehung.
He describes himself as a convinced single person and doesn't want a steady relationship.
In real life
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