German for Relationships: Saying 'I'm Single' or 'I Have a Partner'
Learn to state your relationship status in German, ask others politely, and distinguish romantic from friendly interest.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In German, talking about relationship status is common in casual conversation, but the words you choose matter. You will learn to say whether you are single or have a partner, ask someone else politely, and avoid confusing romantic interest with friendship. The focus is on clear, natural phrases for everyday situations.
By the end, you can…
- say whether I am single or have a partner.
- ask someone about their relationship status politely.
- distinguish between romantic and friendly interest in conversation.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich bin Single.
I'm single.
ikh bin SING-l
Standard, neutral way to say you are not in a romantic relationship. 'Single' is a common loanword in German.
Ich habe einen Partner. / Ich habe eine Partnerin.
I have a partner. (male / female)
ikh HAH-buh EYE-nen PAR-tner / ikh HAH-buh EYE-nuh PAR-tner-in
Use 'einen Partner' for a male partner, 'eine Partnerin' for a female partner. 'Partner' can also mean a business partner, so context matters.
Hast du einen Freund? / Hast du eine Freundin?
Do you have a boyfriend? / Do you have a girlfriend?
hahst doo EYE-nen FROYNT / hahst doo EYE-nuh FROYN-din
In German, 'Freund' and 'Freundin' can mean either a romantic partner or a platonic friend. To avoid confusion, say 'mein fester Freund' or 'meine feste Freundin' for a steady romantic partner.
Bist du vergeben?
Are you taken? / Are you in a relationship?
bist doo fair-GAY-ben
A direct but common way to ask if someone is in a relationship. 'Vergeben' literally means 'given away' and is used for romantic status.
Ich habe nur freundschaftliches Interesse.
I'm only interested in friendship.
ikh HAH-buh noor FROYNT-shahft-likh-es in-ter-ES-uh
A polite way to make clear you are not looking for a romantic connection. 'Freundschaftlich' means 'friendly' or 'platonic'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To state your status, use 'Ich bin ...' or 'Ich habe ...'. For example: 'Ich bin Single.' (I'm single.) 'Ich habe einen Partner.' (I have a partner.) To ask someone else, use 'Bist du ...?' or 'Hast du ...?': 'Bist du vergeben?' (Are you taken?) 'Hast du einen Freund?' (Do you have a boyfriend?) Note that German uses the accusative case after 'haben': 'einen Partner' (masculine), 'eine Partnerin' (feminine). The verb 'sein' (to be) takes the nominative: 'Ich bin Single.'
When to use it
Use these phrases in casual conversations, when getting to know someone, or when someone asks about your relationship status. For example, if a friend asks 'Und, bist du vergeben?' you can reply 'Nein, ich bin Single.' If you want to be clear that you are not romantically interested, say 'Ich habe nur freundschaftliches Interesse.' In more formal situations, you might hear 'Sind Sie vergeben?' using the polite 'Sie' form. Among younger people, 'Single' is very common; older speakers may say 'alleinstehend' (single, living alone) in official contexts.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Sag mal, bist du eigentlich vergeben?
By the way, are you in a relationship?zahk mahl, bist doo EYE-gent-likh fair-GAY-benNein, ich bin Single. Und du?
No, I'm single. And you?nine, ikh bin SING-l. oont dooIch habe eine Partnerin. Wir sind seit zwei Jahren zusammen.
I have a partner. We've been together for two years.ikh HAH-buh EYE-nuh PAR-tner-in. veer zint zite tsvai YAH-ren tsoo-ZAH-menSchön! Ich habe nur freundschaftliches Interesse, aber lass uns Freunde bleiben.
Nice! I'm only interested in friendship, but let's stay friends.shurn! ikh HAH-buh noor FROYNT-shahft-likh-es in-ter-ES-uh, AH-ber lahs oons FROYN-duh BLY-benA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, asking about relationship status can be direct, but it is usually done among friends or in informal settings. The word 'Freund' is ambiguous: it can mean a romantic partner or a friend. To avoid misunderstanding, specify 'mein fester Freund' (my steady boyfriend) or 'ein Freund von mir' (a friend of mine). In formal contexts, use 'Sie' and 'vergeben' or 'alleinstehend'. Regional differences are minor; 'Single' is understood everywhere.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ich bin ein Single' or 'Ich habe einen Freund' to mean 'I have a boyfriend' when you actually mean a platonic friend.
Try this instead: Say 'Ich bin Single' without 'ein'. For a romantic partner, use 'mein fester Freund' or 'meine feste Freundin' to be clear. For a platonic friend, say 'ein Freund von mir' or 'eine Freundin von mir'. Example: 'Ich habe einen festen Freund.' (I have a steady boyfriend.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'm single' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich bin Single.
This is the standard phrase. 'Single' is used as an adjective without an article. You could also say 'Ich bin alleinstehend' in more formal contexts.
2Ask a friend if they have a girlfriend (informal).
Show a sample answer
Hast du eine Freundin?
This uses the informal 'du' form. Note that 'Freundin' can mean a girlfriend or a female friend; context or adding 'feste' clarifies romantic intent.
3How would you politely say you are only interested in friendship?
Show a sample answer
Ich habe nur freundschaftliches Interesse.
This clearly states platonic interest. Alternatively, you could say 'Ich möchte nur Freunde sein.' Both are polite and clear.
Use 'Ich bin Single' or 'Ich habe einen Partner/eine Partnerin' to state your status. Ask with 'Bist du vergeben?' or 'Hast du einen Freund/eine Freundin?'. Remember that 'Freund' can be ambiguous, so add 'fest' for a romantic partner. Keep it polite and context-appropriate.
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