Common Mistakes in Japanese: Understanding 独身 (どくしん)
When learning Japanese, navigating the nuances of vocabulary and expressions can be a delightful yet tricky adventure.
Today, we delve into a common misunderstanding surrounding the term 独身 (どくしん dokushin).
Let’s break down a classroom scenario between two students and me:
Anna: Alex, do you have a girlfriend now?（今 (いま) アレックスさんは彼女 (かのじょ) がいますか。）
Alex: No, but I wasn’t single. （いいえ、でも私 (わたし) は独身 (どくしん) じゃありませんでした。）
Teacher: Huh, you were married?（えっ、結婚 (けっこん) していたの。）
Alex: No.（いいえ。）
Teacher: So, you’ve been single until now. （じゃあ、今 (いま) まで独身 (どくしん) ですね。）
Here’s where the confusion lies: in Japanese, 独身 (どくしん) means not married, regardless of relationship status with a boyfriend or girlfriend.
However, the English translation of “独身” as “single” can lead to misunderstandings. In English, saying “I’m single” generally implies not having a boyfriend or girlfriend.
In Alex’s case, when he said, “I wasn’t single,” he meant to convey that he had a girlfriend previously, not that he was married. This demonstrates the subtle differences in how languages interpret relationship status.
Until next time!
Natsuko Sensei
