独身貴族 (Dokushin Kizoku): “An Unmarried Noble” in Japanese

Definition

独身貴族 (どくしん きぞく, dokushin kizoku; 単身贵族 in Chinese) is a Japanese word that literally means “An unmarried (独身) noble (貴族)”. It figuratively describes a single working person (especially the rich) who enjoys freedom and splurges on his/herself without making a serious commitment to someone else. Obviously, this word was coined in comparison to married people who have to devote their time and money to their family and live a more restricted, frugal – yet more romantic and fulfilling, hopefully – life than what they used to live in their singlehood. Sometimes, this word is used as a sugar-coated expression for unmarried people who are single yet don’t really enjoy a luxurious lifestyle.

Related Words

貴族 (きぞく): a noble

独身 (どくしん): be single

独身時代 (どくしん じだい): singlehood

Example

Ex1

彼は独身貴族を満喫している

He fully enjoys being an unmarried noble.

Ex2:

(A conversation)

独身: 実は、まだ独身なんです。

A single person: Actually, I am still single.

既婚者: ああ、じゃあ独身貴族ですか！趣味にお金がたくさん使えてうらやましいです！

A married person: Ah so you’re an unmarried noble! I’m jealous of you because you can spend much money on your hobbies!