soltero
/sol-TAY-roh/
single
As an adjective, soltero describes the state of being single or unmarried.
📝 In Action
¿Estás casado o soltero?
A1Are you married or single?
Mi hermana es soltera.
A1My sister is single (unmarried).
La mayoría de mis amigos siguen solteros.
A2Most of my friends are still single.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
As an adjective, 'soltero' must change its ending to match the person it describes: 'soltero' (for a man), 'soltera' (for a woman).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'ser' vs. 'estar'
Mistake: "Soy soltero (using ser)"
Correction: Estar is usually used for temporary states, but 'ser soltero' is also very common and refers to a defining life status. Both 'ser' and 'estar' are acceptable, but 'estar soltero' is often used to emphasize the current state.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking Marital Status
The standard, polite way to ask someone's status is '¿Es usted soltero/a?' (formal) or '¿Eres soltero/a?' (informal).
When used as a noun, soltero refers specifically to a single or unmarried man.
📝 In Action
Él es el soltero más codiciado de la ciudad.
B1He is the most sought-after bachelor in the city.
Los solteros tienen un evento especial el viernes.
A2The single men have a special event on Friday.
💡 Grammar Points
Noun Forms
When used as a noun, 'soltero' refers to a man. The feminine form, 'soltera', is used to refer to a single woman.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: soltero
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine form of 'soltero'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'soltero' different from 'solo'?
'Soltero' refers specifically to marital status (unmarried). 'Solo' (alone) means physically or emotionally by yourself, regardless of whether you are married or not. You can be married but feel 'solo', or 'soltero' and never feel 'solo'.
Does 'soltero' mean 'never been married'?
Not necessarily. While it often refers to someone who has never married, 'soltero' simply means 'unmarried' right now. Spanish speakers often use 'divorciado' (divorced) or 'separado' (separated) to be more specific about previous marriages.