single
Colloquial: without a steady partner; not in a committed romantic relationship.
EXAMPLE
Seit der Trennung vor einem Jahr ist sie wieder single.
She has been single again since the breakup a year ago.
single
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry single, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | single |
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Usage tips
Predicative use
'Single' is especially often used after 'sein' (to be), 'bleiben' (to remain), or 'werden' (to become) to describe a person's relationship status. As an adjective, it is generally not used directly before a noun.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Scheidung blieb er mehrere Jahre single.
He remained single for several years after the divorce.
Sie ist seit Kurzem wieder single.
She has recently become single again.
Typical collocations
Common expressions include 'noch single sein' (to still be single), 'wieder single sein' (to be single again), and 'single bleiben' (to remain single). Adverbs such as 'noch' (still) and 'wieder' (again) often indicate whether this relationship status continues or has occurred again.
EXAMPLE
Trotz vieler Verabredungen ist er noch single.
Despite going on many dates, he is still single.
Nach der Trennung möchte sie erst einmal single bleiben.
After the breakup, she wants to remain single for a while.
Colloquial language
'Single' mainly belongs to spoken, informal everyday language and is often used when people talk about their relationship status.
EXAMPLE
Beim Abendessen erzählte er, dass er wieder single ist.
Over dinner, he said that he was single again.
In real life
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