Translation and Meaning of: 単数 - tansuu

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 単数 (たんすう, "tansū"). It frequently appears in grammatical and everyday contexts, but its meaning goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is used in daily life in Japan, and why it is important for those who want to master the language. You will discover everything from its origin to practical tips for memorizing it.

What does 単数 (たんすう) mean?

The word 単数 is used to indicate something singular, that is, which exists in a quantity of one. In grammar, it opposes 複数 (ふくすう, "fukusū"), which means "plural." If you are learning Japanese, you will encounter it in explanations about nouns, verbs, and even pronouns. For example, when saying "a book" (一冊の本), we are using a concept of singularity that, in certain contexts, can be associated with 単数.

Although Japanese does not have as distinct number inflections as Portuguese (like "casa" vs. "casas"), the idea of singularity is still relevant. In sentences such as 彼は単数形で話す ("He speaks in the singular"), the word helps specify that something refers to only one element. This type of construction is more common in linguistic explanations or technical texts.

Origin and composition of 単数

The word 単数 is formed by two kanji: 単 (たん, "simple" or "single") and 数 (すう, "number"). Together, they convey the idea of "single number." The first kanji, 単, also appears in terms like 単純 (たんじゅん, "simple") or 単語 (たんご, "isolated word"), always with the notion of something non-multiple. Meanwhile, 数 is widely used in words related to counting, such as 数学 (すうがく, "mathematics").

Interestingly, 単数 is neither an old word nor does it have roots in classical Japanese terms. It emerged as part of modern vocabulary, especially influenced by Western grammatical concepts when Japan began to systematize its own language teaching. This explains why it is more commonly used in academic contexts than in informal everyday situations.

How and when to use 単数 in Japanese

In everyday life, the Japanese rarely use 単数 in casual conversations. Its use is more frequent in grammar classes, textbooks, or technical discussions. For example, a teacher may explain: この名詞は単数と複数で形が変わらない ("This noun does not change form in singular and plural"). Outside of these contexts, it is more common to use expressions like 一つ (ひとつ, "one thing") or 一人 (ひとり, "one person").

A common mistake among students is trying to apply 単数 in situations where Japanese does not require explicit distinction. Unlike languages like English or Portuguese, many nouns in Japanese do not have separate forms for singular and plural. Therefore, 単数 tends to be more useful for understanding metalinguistic explanations than for constructing sentences from scratch.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 単数形 (tansukei) - Singular form
• 単数形式 (tansuukeishiki) - Singular form (specifically the grammatical form)
• 単数系 (tansukei) - Singular category
• 単数名詞 (tansumeishi) - Singular noun
• 単数形態 (tansukeitai) - Singular condition (or form)
• 単数形容詞 (tansukeiyoushi) - Singular adjective
• 単数変化 (tansuhenka) - Change to singular
• 単数形式に変化する (tansuukeishiki ni henka suru) - Change to the singular form
• 単数形式になる (tansuukeishiki ni naru) - Become the singular form
• 単数形式にする (tansuukeishiki ni suru) - Make it singular.
• 単数形式に書く (tansuukeishiki ni kaku) - Write in the singular form.
• 単数形式を取る (tansuukeishiki wo toru) - Take on the singular form
• 単数形式に表す (tansuukeishiki ni arawasu) - Express in singular form
• 単数形式で表す (tansuukeishiki de arawasu) - Express using the singular form
• 単数形式で書く (tansuukeishiki de kaku) - Write using the singular form.
• 単数形式である (tansuukeishiki de aru) - To be in singular form

単数

Romaji: tansuu
Kana: たんすう
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: Singular (number)

Meaning in English: singular (number)

Definition: several things combined into one.