Translation guide
The English word 'bachelor' has two main meanings: an unmarried man, and a person who holds a bachelor's degree. This guide covers both, with a focus on natural Japanese expressions.
Referring to a man who has never been married, often implying single status.
General term for 'unmarried' or 'single', used for both men and women. Can be used as a noun or with の to modify another noun.
Referring to a person who has completed an undergraduate degree.
Formal term meaning 'holder of a bachelor's degree'. Used in official contexts.
While バチェラー exists, it is not commonly used in natural Japanese. Stick to 独身 or 未婚 for everyday use.
独身 is the most common and neutral term for 'single/unmarried'. 未婚 is more formal and often used in documents or statistics. Both can apply to men and women.
彼はまだ独身です。
He is still single.
an unmarried man
More formal term meaning 'unmarried'. Often used in official contexts or documents.
Compound noun specifically meaning 'bachelor' or 'single man'.
an event for single men
Loanword from English, used in specific contexts like the TV show 'The Bachelor' or in marketing. Not commonly used in everyday conversation.
bachelor party
He is a bachelor's degree holder.
Refers to the degree itself or the person holding it. Often used in compounds like 学士号 (bachelor's degree).
He is a Bachelor of Arts.