How to Say "single" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “single” is “soltero” — use 'soltero' when referring to a person's marital status: not married or in a relationship.
soltero
sol-TAY-rohsolˈteɾo
Examples
¿Estás casado o soltero?
Are you married or single?
Mi hermana es soltera.
My sister is single (unmarried).
La mayoría de mis amigos siguen solteros.
Most of my friends are still single.
Gender Agreement
As an adjective, 'soltero' must change its ending to match the person it describes: 'soltero' (for a man), 'soltera' (for a woman).
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.
simple
seem-pleh'simple
Examples
Las instrucciones son muy simples.
The instructions are very simple.
Es una solución simple a un problema complicado.
It's a simple solution to a complicated problem.
Me gusta la decoración simple, sin muchos colores.
I like plain decor, without a lot of colors.
One Form for Masculine and Feminine
Good news! simple doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine things. It's un problema simple (a masculine problem) and una solución simple (a feminine solution). You just add an 's' for plural: simples.
Describing People
Mistake: “Calling a person `simple` can sometimes be misunderstood.”
Correction: While `una persona simple` can mean 'a humble, down-to-earth person', it can also sometimes mean 'a simple-minded person'. The word `sencillo/a` is often a safer and more positive choice to describe a person's personality as 'simple' or 'unpretentious'.
solo
SO-loˈso.lo
Examples
Mi hermano vive solo en un apartamento pequeño.
My brother lives alone in a small apartment.
A veces me siento un poco sola por las noches.
Sometimes I feel a little lonely at night.
Quiero un café solo, sin leche ni azúcar.
I want a single coffee (a black coffee), without milk or sugar.
A Word with Four Forms
This 'solo' is a describing word, so it must match the person or thing it's describing. It can change to 'sola' (for feminine things), 'solos' (for plural masculine things), or 'solas' (for plural feminine things).
Forgetting to Match
Mistake: “La mujer está solo.”
Correction: La mujer está sola. Because 'mujer' is feminine, the describing word needs to end in '-a'.
individual
een-dee-bee-DWALindiβiˈðwal
Examples
He reservado una habitación individual en el hotel.
I have booked a single room at the hotel.
Los estudiantes necesitan atención individual para aprender mejor.
Students need individual attention to learn better.
El tenis puede ser un deporte individual o de dobles.
Tennis can be an individual or doubles sport.
One form for everyone
This word doesn't change its ending for men or women. You can say 'un cuarto individual' (masculine) or 'una cama individual' (feminine) using the exact same word.
How to talk about more than one
To talk about multiple things, just add '-es' to the end: 'clases individuales'.
Confusing it with 'soltero'
Mistake: “Soy individual.”
Correction: Soy soltero/a.
único
Examples
Es mi único par de zapatos.
It's my only pair of shoes.
suelto
SWELL-toh'swelto
Examples
El perro estaba suelto en el parque.
The dog was loose in the park.
Llevaba el pelo suelto, sin coleta.
She wore her hair loose, without a ponytail.
Dejé los papeles sueltos sobre la mesa.
I left the loose papers on the table.
Agreement is Key
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'suelto' must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): suelto, suelta, sueltos, sueltas.
Confusing with 'soltar'
Mistake: “Using 'soltar' (the verb) when you need 'suelto' (the description).”
Correction: Remember, 'suelto' describes the state of being released, while 'soltar' is the action of releasing.
libre
LEE-brehˈli.βɾe
Examples
Mi amigo rompió con su novia, ahora está libre otra vez.
My friend broke up with his girlfriend, now he's single again.
Soy una mujer libre, no necesito a nadie.
I'm a single/free woman, I don't need anyone.
sencillo
sen-SEE-yohsenˈθiʎo
Examples
¿Tienes sencillo para pagar el autobús?
Do you have change (small bills) to pay for the bus?
Lo siento, no tengo sencillo, solo un billete de cincuenta.
I'm sorry, I don't have small bills, only a fifty-dollar note.
Using 'Sencillo' as a Noun
When referring to money, 'sencillo' acts as a masculine noun and usually means 'the small money' or 'the change' needed for exact payment.
Confusing Change (Money)
Mistake: “Using 'cambio' when asking if someone has small bills ('¿Tienes cambio?').”
Correction: While 'cambio' works for the money received back, 'sencillo' is often preferred in Latin America for the smaller bills or coins needed to pay exactly: '¿Tienes sencillo?'
Soltero vs. Libre for 'Single'
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