单

單
dān
#389 most
frequent character
single, odd, unlined, thin, weak
adjective
Measure words:个 gè

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

单 is a drawing of a weapon-like tool used in hunting or fighting. That was its first meaning. The meaning 'single' was borrowed for the sound alone, and from it came 'only'.

Drawn as: weapon-like instrument

单 as a component in other characters

sound12 characters
弹阐蝉惮婵郸掸觯殚箪瘅啴
picture1 character
冁

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Example Sentences

他是一个单身汉。
tāshì yígè dānshēn hàn 。
He is a single man.
这个问题很单纯。
zhègè wèntí hěn dānchún 。
This problem is very simple.
我只想要一个单一的答案。
wǒzhī xiǎngyào yígè dānyī de dáàn 。
I only want a single answer.

Words with similar meanings

单一dānyī
single, singular
Refers specifically to something that is one and not multiple; more formal.
孤独gūdú
lonely, solitary
Implies a sense of being alone with an emotional connotation; focuses on the feeling of isolation.

Words Starting With 单

单位dān wèi
a unit; unit (of measure); work unit (one's workplace)
单元dān yuán
unit; entrance number; staircase (for residential buildings)
单独dān dú
alone; by oneself; on one's own
单纯dān chún
simple; pure; alone; merely
单调dān diào
monotonous

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