Spanish for Relationship Status: Saying 'I'm Single' or 'I Have a Partner'
Learn to share your relationship status in Spanish, using estar and tener, and distinguish romantic from friendly relationships.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to talk about your relationship status in Spanish. You will practice saying whether you are single or have a partner, and you will learn to distinguish between romantic and friendly relationships. We will focus on the verbs estar (to be) and tener (to have), which are essential for this topic. By the end, you will be able to share your status appropriately in a conversation.
By the end, you can…
- say whether I am single or have a partner in Spanish.
- ask someone about their relationship status politely.
- distinguish between a romantic partner and a friend in Spanish.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Estoy soltero.
I am single. (said by a man)
es-TOY sol-TEH-ro
Use if you are male. For a female speaker, say 'Estoy soltera' (sol-TEH-rah).
Tengo novio.
I have a boyfriend.
TEN-go NO-byo
Used by anyone to say they have a boyfriend. For a girlfriend, say 'Tengo novia' (NO-vya).
Tengo pareja.
I have a partner.
TEN-go pa-RE-ha
Gender-neutral; can refer to a boyfriend, girlfriend, or long-term partner.
¿Estás soltero?
Are you single? (to a man)
es-TAS sol-TEH-ro
Informal question to a male friend. For a female, say '¿Estás soltera?'.
¿Tienes novio?
Do you have a boyfriend?
TYEH-nes NO-byo
Informal question to anyone. For a girlfriend, ask '¿Tienes novia?'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To state your relationship status, use the verb estar for current states like being single, and tener for having a partner. For example: 'Estoy soltero' (I am single) and 'Tengo novia' (I have a girlfriend). Note that 'estar' is used because being single is a current state, not a permanent identity. Also, adjectives like 'soltero' change with gender: 'soltero' for men, 'soltera' for women.
When to use it
Use these phrases in casual conversations when someone asks about your relationship status. It's common to ask '¿Tienes novio/a?' or '¿Estás soltero/a?' among friends. However, in more formal situations, it's better to say '¿Tiene usted pareja?' (Do you have a partner?). Remember that 'novio' and 'novia' imply a romantic relationship, while 'amigo' and 'amiga' mean friend. So, if you say 'Tengo un amigo', it means you have a friend, not a partner.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Estás soltera?
Are you single?es-TAS sol-TEH-raNo, tengo novio.
No, I have a boyfriend.no TEN-go NO-byo¿Y tu amiga?
And your friend?i tu a-MI-gaElla está soltera.
She is single.E-ya es-TA sol-TEH-raA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American countries, asking about relationship status is common among friends, but it can be considered too direct in more formal contexts. Using 'pareja' is a neutral term that includes married and unmarried partners. Also, in some regions, 'novio' can imply a serious relationship, while in others it may be used for a boyfriend or girlfriend of any duration.
One thing to watch for
Using 'ser' instead of 'estar' to say 'I am single', as in 'Soy soltero'.
Try this instead: Use 'estar' for current states: 'Estoy soltero'. 'Ser' is for inherent characteristics, like 'Soy alto' (I am tall). However, 'Soy soltero' is also commonly heard and accepted, especially in Spain, so it is not strictly wrong.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I am single' if you are a woman?
Show a sample answer
Estoy soltera.
Because 'soltera' is the feminine form of the adjective, and 'estar' is used for temporary states.
2Translate: 'Do you have a partner?' (formal)
Show a sample answer
¿Tiene usted pareja?
Using 'tener' for possession and 'usted' for formal address. 'Pareja' is gender-neutral.
3What is the difference between 'novio' and 'amigo'?
Show a sample answer
'Novio' means boyfriend (romantic), while 'amigo' means friend (platonic).
This distinction is important to avoid misunderstandings when talking about relationships.
Use 'estar' for being single and 'tener' for having a partner. Remember gender agreement: soltero/soltera, novio/novia. When in doubt, 'pareja' is a safe, neutral term.
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