单

• Pinyin: dān
• Hanzi breakdown: 单 = 口口 (two mouths) + 十 (ten) — historical pictograph of a forked weapon

Meaning

Single; alone; odd (number); simple; one-sided. Describes something that is alone, unpaired, or only one.

单 functions as an adjective (单人房 = single room, 单数 = odd number) and adverb meaning 'solely' or 'alone'. It contrasts with 双 (double/even). Also appears in compounds like 单独 (alone/independently) and 菜单 (menu).

Examples

1. 她喜欢单独旅行，觉得这样更自由。 She likes to travel alone, finding it more liberating that way.
2. 请帮我订一间单人房，住两晚。 Please help me book a single room for two nights.
3. 他单凭自己的努力考上了重点大学。 He got into a key university through his own efforts alone.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, travel, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这道题很单，你一定能做出来。(This question is straightforward — you'll definitely be able to do it.)
• 我们要一个单间，不需要加床。(We want a single room, no extra bed needed.)

Don't Say

• 不要用'单'替代'只有'或'仅' — '单'多用于构词，单独作副词时语感较书面 (Don't freely substitute 单 for 只有 or 仅 in speech — as a standalone adverb 单 is more written in style)

Origin & History

单 originally depicted a forked weapon held in one hand, evolving to mean 'single' or 'alone'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal