Italian for Relationships: Say "I'm Single" or "I Have a Partner"
Learn to state your relationship status in Italian, ask others politely, and use the right vocabulary for romantic connections.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Talking about relationship status is common when you meet new people, especially in romantic contexts. In Italian, you can say whether you are single or have a partner using simple phrases. This lesson teaches you the key expressions, how to ask someone about their status politely, and how to distinguish romantic interest from friendship. You will also learn about grammatical gender and agreement, which are essential in Italian.
By the end, you can…
- say whether I am single or have a partner in Italian.
- ask someone politely about their relationship status.
- use the correct verb forms and adjectives for my gender.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Sono single.
I'm single.
SOH-noh SEEN-gohl
Common among younger speakers; 'single' is an English loanword used informally and is invariable for gender. For a more neutral option, say 'Non ho un partner' (I don't have a partner).
Ho un partner.
I have a partner.
oh oon PAHR-tner
Neutral and increasingly common; 'partner' is invariable in Italian. Use 'una partner' for a female partner.
Sono sposato/sposata.
I'm married.
SOH-noh spoh-ZAH-toh / spoh-ZAH-tah
Use 'sposato' if you are male, 'sposata' if you are female. The adjective agrees with the speaker's gender.
Sei single?
Are you single?
say SEEN-gohl
Informal question for someone your age or a friend. For formal, use 'È single?' (eh SEEN-gleh).
Hai un partner?
Do you have a partner?
AH-ee oon PAHR-tner
Informal; for formal, 'Ha un partner?' (ah oon PAHR-tner). This is a neutral way to ask about romantic status.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To state your relationship status, use 'sono' (I am) + adjective, or 'ho' (I have) + noun. For example: 'Sono single' (I'm single), 'Sono sposato' (I'm married, male speaker), 'Sono sposata' (I'm married, female speaker). With 'avere' (to have): 'Ho un partner' (I have a partner), 'Ho una ragazza' (I have a girlfriend), 'Ho un ragazzo' (I have a boyfriend). Note that adjectives like 'sposato' change ending based on gender: -o for masculine, -a for feminine. The verb 'essere' (to be) is irregular: io sono, tu sei, lui/lei è. The verb 'avere' (to have) is also irregular: io ho, tu hai, lui/lei ha.
When to use it
Use these phrases in casual conversation when someone asks about your relationship status, or when you want to ask someone else. 'Sono single' is fine in informal settings; in more formal contexts, 'Non ho un partner' may sound more polite. To ask someone, use 'Sei single?' with friends or peers, and 'È single?' with older people or strangers. Remember that 'partner' can refer to a romantic partner of any gender, but if you want to specify, use 'ragazzo' (boyfriend), 'ragazza' (girlfriend), 'marito' (husband), 'moglie' (wife). Avoid using 'amico' or 'amica' for a romantic partner, as that means 'friend' and can cause confusion.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Ciao! Sei single?
Hi! Are you single?CHAH-oh! say SEEN-gohlNo, ho un partner.
No, I have a partner.noh, oh oon PAHR-tnerAh, da quanto tempo state insieme?
Ah, how long have you been together?ah, dah KWAHN-toh TEHM-poh STAH-teh een-SYEH-mehDa due anni. E tu? Sei single?
For two years. And you? Are you single?dah DOO-eh AHN-nee. eh too? say SEEN-gohlA little context goes a long way
In Italian, asking about relationship status is common among friends and acquaintances, but it can be considered direct. Use a polite tone and be aware that 'single' is an English loanword widely understood, especially by younger people. In more formal situations, 'Non ho un partner' or 'Sono sposato/sposata' may be more appropriate. Also, 'partner' is neutral and can refer to a same-sex or opposite-sex partner, but some may prefer 'compagno/compagna' for a long-term partner.
One thing to watch for
Using 'amico' or 'amica' to mean boyfriend or girlfriend.
Try this instead: 'Amico' means a male friend, and 'amica' means a female friend. For a romantic partner, use 'ragazzo' (boyfriend), 'ragazza' (girlfriend), 'partner', or 'compagno/compagna'. For example, 'Ho un ragazzo' means 'I have a boyfriend', not 'I have a friend'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'm single' in Italian if you are female?
Show a sample answer
Sono single.
'Sono single' is invariable for gender because 'single' is an English loanword. Alternatively, you could say 'Non ho un partner' or 'Sono nubile' (for a woman who has never married), but 'nubile' is more formal and specific.
2Translate: 'Do you have a partner?' (informal)
Show a sample answer
Hai un partner?
'Hai' is the informal second-person singular of 'avere'. For formal, use 'Ha un partner?'. Both are correct; the choice depends on the level of formality.
3What is the difference between 'sposato' and 'sposata'?
Show a sample answer
'Sposato' is used for a male speaker, 'sposata' for a female speaker.
Italian adjectives agree in gender with the noun they modify. Since the speaker is the subject, the adjective reflects the speaker's gender. So a man says 'Sono sposato', a woman says 'Sono sposata'.
Use 'Sono single' or 'Ho un partner' to state your status, and remember to match adjectives to your gender. Ask 'Sei single?' informally or 'È single?' formally. Avoid 'amico/amica' for romantic partners.
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