Taken

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual
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Meaning: Already in a relationship, not available (modern dating).

已经有对象了,不是单身(现代约会用语)。
Ya tiene pareja, no está disponible (lenguaje moderno de citas).
もう相手がいる、フリーではない(現代の恋愛用語)。
이미 연인이 있는, 프리가 아닌 (현대 연애 용어).

Being 'taken' means you're in a relationship and not available. 'Is he taken?' asks about relationship status. Simple way to establish unavailability.

'Taken'意味着你有对象了,不是可以追求的状态。'Is he taken?'是在问感情状况。是一种简单明了地表示有对象的说法。
Estar 'taken' significa que estás en una relación y no estás disponible. 'Is he taken?' pregunta por su estado sentimental. Una forma sencilla de establecer que no estás libre.
「Taken」とは交際相手がいてフリーではないこと。「Is he taken?」は交際状況を尋ねている。相手がいないことを簡潔に伝える表現。
'Taken'은 연인이 있어서 만날 수 없는 상태를 의미한다. 'Is he taken?'은 연애 상태를 묻는 것이다. 상대가 불가능함을 간단히 나타내는 표현이다.

Examples

  1. Sorry, I'm taken.
    抱歉,我有对象了
    Lo siento, estoy pillado/a
    ごめん、相手いるんだ
    미안, 나 사람 있어.
  2. Is she taken?
    她有男朋友吗?
    ¿Tiene novio?
    彼女は付き合ってる人いるの?
    그녀 남자친구 있어?
  3. All the good ones are taken.
    好的都名花有主了
    Los buenos ya están pillados
    いい人はみんな相手がいる
    괜찮은 사람은 다 임자가 있어.

Pronunciation

/ˈteɪkən/

Usage Guide

Context: availability, dating, status

Tone: casual, definitive

✓ Do Say

  • Taken
    有对象了
    pillado/a
    相手がいる
    애인 있어
  • I'm taken
    我有对象了
    estoy pillado/a
    相手がいます
    나 애인 있어
  • Are they taken?
    他们有对象吗?
    ¿están pillados?
    相手いるの?
    그 사람 애인 있어?

✗ Don't Say

  • Clear status—no ambiguity
    状态明确——没有模糊空间
    Estado claro, sin ambigüedad
    明確なステータス——曖昧さなし
    모호함 없이 확실한 상태 표현

Common Mistakes

Origin & History

From the idea of being 'taken' by someone—claimed or committed. Simple status indicator that became standard dating vocabulary.

Etymology: From taken (claimed, committed)

First recorded: Modern dating usage

Cultural Context

Era: Modern dating

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Social media status; Dating apps

Regional notes: Universal modern English.

Variations

TakenI'm taken

More From This Topic

Fancy ★★★★★ Be attracted to, have romantic interest in (British). Pull ★★★★★ Successfully attract someone romantically; kiss or hook u... Fit ★★★★★ Attractive, good-looking (British slang). Snog ★★★★★ Kiss passionately, make out (British). Seeing someone ★★★★★ In the early stages of dating, not yet official (British). Official ★★★★★ In a committed, acknowledged relationship (modern dating).
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