Single in China: It’s a Dog’s Life
“单身狗 (dānshēnɡǒu) Single dog” is an Internet slang. It refers to people who are single or who don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend. In China, this state is like that of a dog, afraid of being lonely and in need of company. It has a similar meaning as “光棍 (guānggùn),” but is a derogatory term and is usually used as a way of self-mockery.
Example:
Wǒ shì yìzhī dānshēn gǒu.
我 是 一只 单身 狗。
I’m a single Dog!
Wǒ hé tā dōu méiyǒu nǚpéngyou, wǒmen dōushì dānshēn gǒu.
我 和 他 都 没有 女朋友， 我们 都是 单身 狗。
Neither I nor him have a girlfriend, we are both single dogs.
Feel free to use this terms with your friends as misery loves company, right? Just don’t over use it as it can become annoying. In any case, we know you’ve got charm, so when you’re done feeling bad get out there and use it!Anyway, being single isn’t all bad. Nobody else is gobbling up all the food in your fridge. If your home is messy, it’s your mess so it’s automatically better, and you get to walk around the house naked. If that’s not enough, Netflix is always there to keep you company. Open your queue and let your troubles fade into the glow of the television screen.
Quiz:
1. What is a “单身狗(dānshēnɡǒu)?”
A. a dog that has no mate
B. a person who wants to be single
C. a single person
D. a person in a relationship
2. Which word is synonymous to “单身狗(dānshēnɡǒu)?”
A. 光棍(guānggùn)
B. 狗窝(gǒuwō)
C. 狐朋狗友(húpénggǒuyǒu)