Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Single in Spanish: Soltero
Soltero · adjective · sohl-TEH-roh
Single translates to soltero when referring to relationship status (unmarried), sencillo for a music single or something simple, and individual or único for a single unit of something. The correct choice depends entirely on context.
sohl-TEH-roh
Llevo dos años soltero y estoy feliz así.
I've been single for two years and I'm happy that way.
Single in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for single, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| soltero | single | sohl-TEH-roh | Default, widely understood |
| solo | single | single/alone (not relationship-specific) | |
| individual | single | single (one item) | |
| sencillo | single | single (music release, simple) |
How Native Speakers Use Soltero
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Relationship status
Mi hermana todavía está soltera.
My sister is still single.
Describing marital status — note the feminine form soltera.
Music release
La banda lanzó su nuevo sencillo la semana pasada.
The band released their new single last week.
Sencillo for a music single.
One item
No quedó ni un solo asiento libre en el teatro.
There wasn't a single seat left in the theater.
Solo/único for emphasis on just one.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Soltero
Using single as a Spanish word for unmarried
Incorrect: Estoy single desde hace mucho.
Correct: Estoy soltero desde hace mucho.
While young Spanish speakers may use single as slang, the proper term is soltero (male) or soltera (female) — single is an anglicism not recognized in formal Spanish.
Confusing soltero with solo
Incorrect: Soy muy solo. (meaning single)
Correct: Soy soltero.
Solo means alone or lonely, while soltero specifically means unmarried or not in a relationship — saying soy muy solo expresses loneliness rather than relationship status.
Lock in Single Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Soltero used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using soltero in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Llevo dos años soltero y estoy feliz así. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Single in Spanish
- How do you say 'single' in Spanish?
- For relationship status, use soltero (male) or soltera (female), meaning unmarried. For a music single, use sencillo. For one of something, use un solo or un único.
- What is the difference between soltero and solo?
- Soltero is a legal and social status meaning unmarried or not in a relationship, while solo means alone or by oneself. A person can be soltero but surrounded by friends, or in a relationship but feeling solo.
- How do you say 'single mom' or 'single dad' in Spanish?
- A single mom is madre soltera and a single dad is padre soltero. These terms are widely used and carry no stigma in contemporary Spanish — familia monoparental (single-parent family) is the formal equivalent.