Meaning
单独 means to be alone or to do something separately from others. It emphasizes the state of being independent or isolated from a group, whether physically or in terms of action. The word can describe a person being by themselves or an action being done individually rather than collectively.
Usage
单独 is commonly used in both spoken and written Mandarin to describe situations where someone acts independently or is physically separated from others. It often appears before verbs (单独去, 单独做) or after verbs with 地 (单独地). It's more formal than 一个人 but less literary than 独自.
Examples
- 01老师想单独和你谈谈。.The teacher wants to talk with you privately.
- 02这个问题我们应该单独讨论。.We should discuss this issue separately.
Characters
Common collocations
- 单独行动to act alone
- 单独谈话to talk privately
- 单独见面to meet privately
- 单独相处to spend time alone together
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters 单 and 独 carry meanings related to singularity and aloneness. The combination reinforces the concept of being separate or individual, creating a compound that emphasizes independence or isolation.