1.
solo customer, party of one
A polite term used in restaurants and service contexts for a customer who comes alone.
お一人様ですか？
Is it just one person?
お一人様、こちらへどうぞ。
Party of one, right this way please.
このレストランはお一人様大歓迎です。
This restaurant warmly welcomes solo diners.
2.
person who enjoys doing things alone; single person
A broader cultural term for someone who comfortably does activities alone, such as dining, traveling, or going to the movies solo. Can also refer to an unmarried person.
お一人様旅行が人気だ。
Solo travel is popular.
最近はお一人様焼肉も珍しくない。
These days, going to a yakiniku restaurant alone isn't unusual.
お一人様向けのサービスが増えている。
Services catering to solo customers are increasing.
Sense 1 is the original service-industry usage heard at restaurant entrances. Sense 2 developed as a cultural trend word describing the growing acceptance of doing activities alone in Japan.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お一人様ですか？ — standard restaurant greeting
- お一人様歓迎 — solo customers welcome
- お一人様席 — solo seating
- お一人様旅行 — solo travel
- お一人様焼肉 — eating yakiniku alone
The term has a positive connotation in modern usage, reflecting a shift away from the idea that doing things alone is lonely or embarrassing.