独(ひと)り身(み)

ひとりみ

noun

being single; living alone

1. being single; unmarried; living alone

The state of being unmarried or without a partner, often with a nuance of living by oneself. Can refer to someone who has never married, or to someone who is widowed or divorced.

彼(かれ)はずっと独(ひと)り身(み)だ。

He has been single all along.

独(ひと)り身(み)の生活(せいかつ)も悪(わる)くない。

Living alone isn't bad either.

妻(つま)に先立(さきだ)たれてから十年(じゅうねん)、独(ひと)り身(み)で暮(く)らしている。

It's been ten years since my wife passed away, and I've been living alone.

Usage

Can describe someone who has never married, is currently unmarried, or is living alone after a spouse's death or divorce. Often carries a slightly lonely or sympathetic nuance, but can also be used neutrally or positively to describe independence.

Common collocations

独(ひと)り身(み)で暮(く)らす (to live alone)
独(ひと)り身(み)の生活(せいかつ) (single life)
ずっと独(ひと)り身(み) (single all along)
気楽(きらく)な独(ひと)り身(み) (carefree single life)

Similar words

独身(どくしん): unmarried — more formal, often used in official contexts
一人暮(ひとりぐ)らし: living alone — focuses on the living situation rather than marital status
シングル: single — loanword, commonly used for unmarried people

Related Words

Synonym: 独身(どくしん) (unmarried (formal))

Compare: 一人暮(ひとりぐ)らし (living alone)

Compare: シングル (single)

Compare: 独身者(どくしんしゃ) (single person)

general

Added 2026.3.18 17:00 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

17500/17525_hitorimi