單 (dān) - Single & alone

單Tone 1

dān ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

單 · dān

Single;

alone;

simple;

unlined (clothing);

odd (number);

bill;

list;

thin;

weak;

only;

sole;

unit.

Singlealonesimple

Usage highlights

SingleSimpleListBillUnitUnlined clothing

Synonyms

  • 独— alone, solitary
  • 孤— lonely, isolated
  • 简— simple, brief

Antonyms

  • 双— double, pair
  • 复— complex, multiple
  • 众— many, numerous

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I live alone (单独).
  • This is a simple task (简单).
  • He wears a thin shirt (单衣).
  • Please fill out this form (表单).

Collocations

  • Single(单独)
  • Simple(简单)
  • List(名单)
  • Bill(账单)
  • Unit(单位)
  • Unlined clothing(单衣)

Idioms

  • Single-handedly taking on a challenge(单刀赴会)
  • Lonely and isolated(形单影只)
  • Simple and unadorned(单文孤证)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, odd numbers (单数) are often associated with yang energy and masculinity.
  • The character appears in historical contexts related to administrative documents and lists.
  • Used in Buddhist context for 'single-minded concentration' (单提).

FAQ