Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Single" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "single", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
独身
どくしん (dokushin)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
頓服
とんぷく (tonpuku)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "single" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 独身 and 頓服.
In Japanese, 独身 (どくしん (dokushin)) is typically associated with "single; unmarried" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 結婚していない状態を表す名詞です。「独身です.
On the other hand, 頓服 (とんぷく (tonpuku)) maps to "single dose (of medicine), medication taken as needed" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Refers to a single dose of medicine taken on an as-needed basis, typically for immediate relief of symptoms like pain or fever, rather than regularly scheduled medication. Often used in medical contexts.. A literal translation of "single" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "独身"
彼はまだ独身です。
He is still single.
Bilingual Context for "頓服"
頭痛がひどい時は、頓服を飲んで安静にしている。
When my headache is severe, I take a single dose of medicine and rest.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼はまだ ＿＿＿ です。" (Meaning: "He is still single.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "独身" fits here because it means "single; unmarried" in the context of: "He is still single.". "頓服" represents "single dose (of medicine), medication taken as needed".