I am single
in SpanishEstoy soltero/a
/ehs-TOY sohl-TEH-roh / ehs-TOY sohl-TEH-rah/
This is the most direct and common way to state your relationship status as single. Remember to use 'soltero' if you identify as male and 'soltera' if you identify as female.
Whether you're mingling at a party or just chatting with a new friend, knowing how to talk about your relationship status is a key part of conversation.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Soy soltero/a
/SOY sohl-TEH-roh / SOY sohl-TEH-rah/
This is a very common alternative to 'Estoy soltero/a'. 'Soy' comes from the verb 'ser', which often describes more permanent characteristics or identity. In this context, both 'soy' and 'estoy' are used almost interchangeably, with 'estoy' being slightly more common for a current status.
No tengo pareja
/noh TEN-goh pah-REH-hah/
Literally 'I don't have a partner.' This is a very natural, conversational way to express that you're single without using the specific word 'soltero/a'. It feels a bit softer and is very common among friends.
No estoy saliendo con nadie
/noh ehs-TOY sah-lee-EN-doh kohn NAH-dee-eh/
This translates to 'I'm not dating anyone.' It's more specific about your current dating activities rather than your official marital status. It implies you're not seeing anyone romantically at the moment.
Estoy disponible
/ehs-TOY dees-poh-NEE-bleh/
Meaning 'I'm available,' this phrase is a more flirty and suggestive way to say you're single. It clearly signals that you are open to the idea of dating or starting a relationship.
Ando soltero/a
/AN-doh sohl-TEH-roh / AN-doh sohl-TEH-rah/
'Ando' is a colloquial alternative to 'estoy', meaning something like 'I'm going around' or 'I'm currently'. This phrase has a very relaxed, almost breezy feel to it, like 'Yeah, I'm single these days.'
Sigo soltero/a
/SEE-goh sohl-TEH-roh / SEE-goh sohl-TEH-rah/
This means 'I'm still single.' The verb 'seguir' means 'to continue' or 'to keep doing something', so this emphasizes that your single status hasn't changed.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right phrase depends on the context. Here’s a quick comparison of the most common options.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estoy soltero/a | Neutral | Directly and clearly stating your relationship status in any situation. | You want a softer, more conversational tone (use 'No tengo pareja' instead). |
| No tengo pareja | Informal | Casual conversations when you want to sound natural and friendly. | Filling out official forms or in very formal contexts. |
| Estoy disponible | Informal / Flirty | Signaling romantic interest or flirting with someone. | You're not trying to be flirtatious, as it can be misinterpreted. |
| No estoy saliendo con nadie | Informal | Clarifying that you are not currently dating anyone, specifically. | You need to state your official marital status. |
📈Difficulty Level
The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers. The 'r' in 'soltero/a' is a simple tap, not a strong roll.
The main challenges are remembering the gender agreement (-o/-a) and the subtle difference between using 'ser' and 'estar', although both are often accepted.
The concept is direct, but knowing when to use a flirty vs. a neutral phrase requires some social awareness. Direct questions about status are more common than in some English-speaking cultures.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to change the ending for gender (-o/-a)
- Distinguishing 'soltero/a' (single) from 'solo/a' (alone)
💡Examples in Action
En mi perfil de la app de citas puse: 'Soy soltera y me encanta viajar.'
On my dating app profile I put: 'I'm single and I love to travel.'
¿Tienes novia? — No, no tengo pareja ahora mismo, estoy enfocado en mi trabajo.
Do you have a girlfriend? — No, I don't have a partner right now, I'm focused on my work.
Al llenar el formulario, en la sección de 'estado civil', tuve que marcar la casilla que decía 'soltero'.
When filling out the form, in the 'marital status' section, I had to check the box that said 'single'.
Mi tía siempre me pregunta en las reuniones familiares: '¿Y tú? ¿Sigues soltero?'
My aunt always asks me at family gatherings: 'And you? Are you still single?'
🌍Cultural Context
The Importance of 'Estado Civil'
In many Spanish-speaking countries, your 'estado civil' (marital status) is a standard piece of information on official documents, from bank forms to immigration papers. The common options are 'soltero/a' (single), 'casado/a' (married), 'divorciado/a' (divorced), and 'viudo/a' (widowed).
Gender Agreement is Non-Negotiable
Unlike in English where 'single' is universal, Spanish requires you to match the adjective to your gender. A man must say 'soltero' and a woman must say 'soltera'. Forgetting this is a very common mistake for learners and can sound jarring to native speakers.
Direct Questions are Common
Don't be surprised if new acquaintances, especially from older generations, ask directly about your relationship status. In many cultures, this is considered normal small talk and a way to get to know you, not necessarily an invasive question.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: "A woman saying 'Estoy soltero.' or a man saying 'Estoy soltera.'"
Correction: Use 'soltero' if you're a man, 'soltera' if you're a woman.
Confusing 'Soltero' with 'Solo'
Mistake: "Saying 'Estoy solo/a' to mean you're single."
Correction: Use 'Estoy soltero/a' for 'I am single'.
Overthinking 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'
Mistake: "Worrying too much about whether to use 'Soy soltero/a' or 'Estoy soltero/a'."
Correction: Both are correct and widely used.
💡Pro Tips
Use 'No tengo pareja' to Sound More Natural
While 'Estoy soltero/a' is perfectly correct, saying 'No tengo pareja' (I don't have a partner) often sounds more fluid and conversational in a casual chat. It's less like stating a fact for a form and more like sharing a piece of your life.
Match Your Adjective!
This is the golden rule here. Before you say the phrase, do a quick mental check: am I talking about myself? Am I male or female? Then pick your ending: '-o' for male, '-a' for female. This applies to 'soltero/a', 'casado/a', 'divorciado/a', etc.
Know Your Audience for 'Estoy disponible'
Be mindful that saying 'I'm available' can be interpreted as a strong signal of interest. It's great for flirting, but might be too forward in a casual conversation with a new friend where you're not trying to initiate romance.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Usage is very standard. 'No tengo pareja' is extremely common in everyday, casual conversation. The distinction between formal and informal is quite clear.
Mexico
Both 'ser' and 'estar' are frequently used for this context. The casual 'ando soltero/a' is a distinctively Mexican and Central American informal expression.
Argentina
The phrase 'No estoy de novio/a' (I'm not in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship) is a very common and natural way to express this. The general intonation is more melodic and Italian-influenced.
💬What Comes Next?
You've just said you're single, and they are curious.
¿Y por qué una persona como tú está soltera?
And why is a person like you single?
Jaja, no he encontrado a la persona correcta todavía.
Haha, I haven't found the right person yet.
Someone asks about your relationship status directly.
¿Tienes novio/a?
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
No, estoy soltero/a.
No, I'm single.
After you say you're single, they might want to know if you're looking.
¿Y estás buscando pareja?
And are you looking for a partner?
No activamente, pero estoy abierto/a a conocer a gente.
Not actively, but I'm open to meeting people.
🧠Memory Tricks
This connection helps you remember that 'soltero' is for romantic status, not just being physically alone.
This visual of a 'pair' of people helps lock in the meaning of 'pareja' and makes the phrase easy to recall.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is that Spanish requires gender agreement. The word 'single' in English works for everyone, but in Spanish, 'soltero' is for men and 'soltera' is for women. Additionally, Spanish has two verbs for 'to be' ('ser' and 'estar'), and while both can be used here, they carry slightly different nuances that don't exist in English.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Saying 'Estoy solo/a' in Spanish means you are physically by yourself or feeling lonely. It does not mean you are single.
Use instead: Use 'Estoy soltero/a' to talk about your relationship status. Use 'Estoy solo/a en casa' to say 'I'm alone at home'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to ask if someone else is single
It's the natural next step in a conversation after sharing your own status.
How to say 'I'm married' in Spanish
Learning other marital statuses like 'casado/a' (married) expands your vocabulary.
How to introduce your partner in Spanish
This allows you to talk about relationships, not just the absence of one.
How to say 'I love you' in Spanish
Progresses from talking about relationship status to expressing feelings within one.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I am single
Question 1 of 3
A woman wants to say 'I am single' to a new friend. What is the most correct and natural way for her to say it?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'Soy soltero' and 'Estoy soltero'?
Think of it this way: 'Estoy soltero' is like saying 'My current status is single.' 'Soy soltero' is more like 'I am a single person.' In everyday life, they are used almost interchangeably for this specific phrase, so you don't need to worry too much. Both are perfectly understood.
Do I always have to change the ending to -o or -a?
Yes, absolutely. If you identify as male, you must use 'soltero'. If you identify as female, you must use 'soltera'. This is a fundamental rule of Spanish grammar called gender agreement and applies to most adjectives that describe people.
Is it rude to ask someone '¿Estás soltero/a?' in Spanish?
It depends on the context, but it's generally less taboo than in some English-speaking cultures. Among peers and in social settings, it's a common question. However, asking a much older person or a superior at work might be seen as too personal.
How can I say 'I am happily single'?
You can say 'Estoy felizmente soltero/a'. The word 'felizmente' means 'happily', so you're directly translating the sentiment. It's a great way to express contentment with your single status.
What if I'm non-binary? Is there a gender-neutral option?
This is an evolving area in Spanish. Traditionally, there isn't a standard gender-neutral adjective ending. Some people use the '-e' ending, as in 'soltere', especially in progressive circles and online. While not universally adopted or officially recognized by the RAE (Royal Spanish Academy), its use is growing.
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