脱单

• Pinyin: tuō dān
• Hanzi breakdown: 脱 (leave) + 单 (single) -> leave singlehood.

Meaning

To stop being single by starting a romantic relationship.

It is casual and often used around friends, dating apps, or holiday jokes. The tone can be hopeful, teasing, or celebratory.

Examples

1. 她终于脱单了，大家都替她开心。 She finally got into a relationship, and everyone's happy for her.
2. 新年愿望很简单，就是脱单。 My New Year's resolution is simple: find a partner.
3. 别催我脱单，我现在挺自在。 Don't keep pushing me to date; I'm quite happy as I am.

Usage Guide

Context: friends, dating, family chat

Tone: light, hopeful

Do Say

• 祝你今年顺利脱单。（Hope you find a relationship this year.）
• 他脱单后朋友圈很热闹。（His social feed got lively after he started dating.）

Don't Say

• 在严肃场合催同事脱单。（It can feel intrusive.）

Common Mistakes

• Using it for marriage only; it means entering a relationship, not necessarily getting married.

Origin & History

Short for 脱离单身, "to leave single status," condensed in youth slang.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s-2020s

Generation: Young adults, now broadly understood

Social background: Students and urban workers

Regional notes: Common across Mainland China.