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March 24, 2026
单独(單獨)dāndú(dan1du2)
单独 (dān dú) refers to being alone or by oneself, without the company of others. It is commonly used to describe situations where someone is acting independently or in isolation, such as doing tasks alone or making decisions without external influence.
Frequency#1575DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 单独 may carry different connotations, especially in family contexts where independence is valued but can also be seen as neglecting familial obligations. The concept of 'face' and group harmony often influences how solitude is perceived.
Memory Tip
Imagine a lone 'dan' (a single person) standing under a 'du' (a big tree). The image of this solitary figure under the tree helps reinforce the meaning of being alone, while the sound of 'dan' connects to the pronunciation of the character.
Meanings of 单独
dāndú(dan1du2)
1alone
2by oneself
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 单独
单独Simplified
單獨Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#1575Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 单独
Podcast: 单独
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AI Study Notes for 单独
Quick Contrast
独自 (dú zì) - use 单独 when emphasizing the state of being alone in a broader context, while 独自 focuses more on the act of doing something alone.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a lone 'dan' (a single person) standing under a 'du' (a big tree). The image of this solitary figure under the tree helps reinforce the meaning of being alone, while the sound of 'dan' connects to the pronunciation of the character.
Usage Notes
When using 单独, be careful not to confuse it with similar terms like 独自 (dú zì), which also means alone but can imply a sense of loneliness. This word is generally neutral but can take on a slightly formal tone in certain contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 单独 connects well with other vocabulary related to independence and solitude, such as 自由 (zì yóu, freedom) and 自主 (zì zhǔ, autonomous). Focus on using it in various sentence structures to enhance your fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 单独 may carry different connotations, especially in family contexts where independence is valued but can also be seen as neglecting familial obligations. The concept of 'face' and group harmony often influences how solitude is perceived.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 单独 with 独立 (dú lì, independent), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我单独工作' (I work independently) is incorrect; it should be '我独立工作' to convey that meaning accurately.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 单独
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Grammar Patterns of 单独
单独 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
他那个年纪的年轻人需要有个____的房间。
A young man of his years needed to have a separate room.
Example Sentences for 单独 (10)
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1
他那个年纪的年轻人需要有个单独的房间。
tā nà gè nián jì de nián qīng rén xū yào yǒu gè dān dú de fáng jiān。
A young man of his years needed to have a separate room.
In Chinese culture, being 单独 may carry different connotations, especially in family contexts where independence is valued but can also be seen as neglecting familial obligations. The concept of 'face' and group harmony often influences how solitude is perceived.
Frequently Asked Questions about 单独
No, 单独 specifically refers to being alone or independent; it wouldn't fit in contexts involving groups.
It's generally neutral but can have a slightly formal tone depending on the context.
While both mean alone, 单独 emphasizes being alone in a situation, while 独自 often conveys a sense of solitude or loneliness.
