dokushin

Dokushin, written 独身 in kanji, is a Japanese term that denotes the state of being unmarried or single. It describes a person who is not currently married and applies to both men and women. The term is commonly used in everyday language, social contexts, and personal descriptions. Its antonyms are 既婚 (kikon) meaning married and 未婚 (mikon) meaning not married, with 未婚 often appearing in formal or statistical contexts.

In practical use, 独身 can function as a noun or in compound forms such as 独身男性 or 独身女性. Examples include sentences like 私は独身です (I am single). In dating or lifestyle discussions, 独身 emphasizes the current status rather than legal or long-term considerations, whereas 未婚 is more neutral or bureaucratic. Phrases like 生涯独身 (shōgai dokushin) describe lifelong singlehood, and 独身貴族 (dokushin kizoku) is a slang or humorous term for affluent bachelors used in media.

In Japan, marital status can influence housing, social expectations, and dating culture, but the term 独身 itself is primarily descriptive. The reading is dokushin, and the kanji literally convey “one body” or “being alone,” reflecting a lack of marriage without a value judgment.