Alleinstehend
Er ist alleinstehend und wohnt in einer kleinen Wohnung.
He is single and lives in a small apartment.
Living alone; not in a relationship or married.
Sie ist seit zwei Jahren alleinstehend.
She has been single for two years.
Alleinstehende Eltern haben oft besondere Herausforderungen.
Single parents often face special challenges.
Can refer to marital status, living situation, or social context. Often used in official forms (e.g., marital status: 'ledig/alleinstehend').
Standalone; not part of a larger group or system.
Dieses Modul ist alleinstehend und funktioniert ohne weitere Abhängigkeiten.
This module is standalone and works without additional dependencies.
Common in technical contexts, e.g., software modules or architectural components.
Collocations
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Context matters
In German, 'alleinstehend' is neutral and factual (like 'single'). In English, 'single' can sometimes imply a choice ('I'm single by choice'), while 'alone' emphasizes solitude. Use 'single' for marital status and 'alone' for physical solitude.
Gold Rule
Marital status vs. living situation
Use 'alleinstehend' primarily for marital status (unmarried, not in a relationship). For living alone, use 'allein leben' or 'in einem Einpersonenhaushalt leben'.
Word Origin
From 'allein' (alone) + 'stehend' (standing), literally 'standing alone'. First attested in the 18th century, originally referring to physical solitude before expanding to social/marital contexts.
Usage Notes
In German, 'alleinstehend' is often used in official contexts (e.g., tax forms, surveys) to indicate marital status. It can sound formal in casual speech; 'single' is more common colloquially. Avoid confusing with 'einsam' (lonely), which emphasizes emotional isolation rather than relationship status.