Sometimes, your friends and family will ask if you are single to make small talk. Moms especially and other female family members are bound to be interested in your love life, and may even nag you into finding a partner.
Other times when someone asks if you’re single, it’s because they are interested in you and want to know if you’re available. Telling the truth about this is all up to you, but if you want to let them down easy, you might want to say you’re in a relationship.
Other times, the person could be asking on behalf of someone else, like a friend who is interested in you but is too shy to ask you. Then, you have the nosy people who ask because they want to be all up in your business.
When you aren’t interested in discussing this topic with that individual, decide what to say with being polite in mind. It doesn’t help anyone to be rude or disrespectful, especially when it could be innocent curiosity.
It’s all up to you to decide whether you want to share the details or not. If you do decide to share, you may want some ideas of what to say when someone asks if you’re single.
Let’s look at some examples:
What to say when someone asks if you’re single: 6 of the best responses when you are single and want to be in a relationship
Finding a good partner is hard, so don’t let anyone tell you any different. You may wish for companionship, but you haven’t found anyone who meets your expectations or is ready to commit in the way you desire.
There’s nothing wrong with being single and looking. In fact, most single people are in this exact spot.
When you answer this question of why you are single, you can be honest about the status of your love life or take a light-hearted approach to the situation.
This is what to say when someone asks if you’re single and you would like to be in a serious relationship:
01“I just haven’t found the right girl/guy yet.”
This is a simple answer you can use when you don’t feel like going into details. This sums up your quest for love and says you’re actively searching.
Photo by Antonio Guillem on shutterstock
02“I’m just keeping my options open right now.”
Use this when you are currently dating a few people, but you haven’t found the perfect candidate yet. It says your love life is in the exploratory stage.
03“The dating pool in my area sucks, and I can’t see myself being with anybody here.”
This is good to use when you have had poor luck with finding a partner because no one is living up to your standards.
Photo by Antonio Guillem on shutterstock
04“Why? Who’s asking?”
Use this when you suspect there may be a deeper reason behind the question. You can also say this in a joking way, but make sure it doesn’t sound desperate.
05“Currently, my romantic life consists of spending my weekends home alone watching romcoms, but I’m never saying never.”
Use this example of what to say when someone asks if you’re single as a joke to talk with someone you know about how sad and empty your love life is at the moment. It says you have no prospects.
Photo by Tero Vesalainen on shutterstock
06“Are you hitting on me?”
If you suspect the person likes you and you have the confidence to ask this question, then go ahead. This may be the catalyst you need to start a new relationship.
6 of the best responses when you are single and would like to remain single
The single life isn’t that bad, especially when you’re trying to find yourself and prioritize your happiness. Being alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely, and you can still be happy as a single person.
Not everyone is going to understand that, but it isn’t up to them. This is what to say when someone asks if you’re single when you choose to be single:
07“I just got out of a bad situation and I’m trying not to rush into anything until I’ve given myself enough time to heal.”
This is good to say after you had a bad experience in a relationship. Taking time to yourself is recommended to help rediscover yourself and overcome the trauma of a bad relationship.
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08“I’m super busy with getting my career off the ground right now and I don’t have the time to dedicate myself to someone in that way.”
Use this when you don’t have a space in your life currently to entertain the idea of a relationship. It says you have your hands full.
09“I don’t want to be in a relationship right now. I’m in the best years of my life and I just want to have some fun while I can.”
Say this when you aren’t the relationship type of person and you just want to have fun without the restraints of a commitment.
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10“I was never the relationship type. Something about being tied down doesn’t suit me.”
This is good to use when you don’t want to settle down, and you have no interest in relationships.
11“There’s more to life than a romantic relationship. I have the love of my friends and family, and that’s enough for me.”
This lets the person know he/she should not pity you because you don’t feel left out or feel like you’re missing something. You already have a ton of wonderful people around you, and you like things as-is.
Photo by Ground Picture on shutterstock
12“Single and proud, thank you very much.”
It is good to use this when the person seems to pity you. It says you are just fine.
What to say when someone asks if you’re single: 4 of the best responses when you are in a happy and committed relationship
You shouldn’t assume that everyone knows you’re in a relationship, especially if you don’t post your partner on social media or make other public displays of affection. This is your moment to clarify and clear up any confusion.
You can also take this opportunity to avoid an awkward situation if you’re not interested in the person asking. This is what to say when someone asks if you’re single and you want to say you’re in a committed relationship:
13“I’m actually not. I’ve been going steady with this guy/girl I met a few years ago and it’s been great.”
This is good to use when you have been in a stable, committed relationship with your partner.
Photo by TeodorLazarev on shutterstock
14“I am taken! We’re keeping it on the down-low for now, but I’m very happy in my relationship.”
Use this when you don’t want to reveal who your partner is because of certain stigmas, e.g. dating someone married or it being an ex who everyone hates.
15“Who said I was single? Someone already scooped me up off the market.”
This is good to use when the person assumes you’re single. It says you are no longer available.
Photo by tativophotos on shutterstock
16“Your boy/girl got snatched up! I’m no longer a single man/woman.”
This is good to use with someone you’re familiar with, like a close friend or family member. It is a light-hearted way to update the person on your relationship status.
5 of the best responses when your relationship is more complicated than just “single” or “in a relationship”
Things can get complicated, especially when your partner isn’t someone people would consider ideal or the relationship is on the rocks. This is more personal, and if you don’t want to share the details, find clever ways to say it.
These are some examples of what to say when someone asks if you’re single and you’re in a complicated space with your partner:
17“It’s complicated.”
This says a lot without saying too much. It says the situation isn’t as straightforward as you want it to be, but you’re working on it.
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18“I wish I knew. I’d call it more of a situationship.”
It is good to use this when you haven’t defined the relationship with your partner and you’re not clear where it stands.
19“I was in a relationship, but we’re sort of on a break right now. I’m just seeing where this thing goes.”
This is good to use when your relationship is in turmoil and you’re taking a break from each other. It says you’re not entirely single, but you’re not in a full-fledged relationship either.
Photo by Antonio Guillem on shutterstock
20“I actually don’t know . If you find out, please let me know.”
This says you have no clue. You’re making light of the situation with this response.
21“I’m working on my situation right now and trying to see where it goes. I have high hopes, but I’m not 100% sure yet.”
It is good to use this when the person knows your toxic partner, and you want to say you’re still working on and fighting for your relationship.
Photo by Victority on shutterstock
What to say when someone asks if you’re single: 4 polite responses when you are not interested in divulging your personal information to them
Truthfully, your relationship status is nobody’s business. Providing an answer is merely a courtesy.
When answering, be polite and try to change the subject or make light of it. This is what to say when someone asks if you’re single and you don’t wish to share at the moment:
22“What is this? An interrogation?”
This is a light-hearted response to use with someone you can joke around with, like a friend or family member. It is a gentler way to say back off and stop asking so many questions.
Photo by nimito on shutterstock
23“Let’s not ruin the conversation by talking about my pathetic love life.”
It is good to say this when the person asks about your relationship at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate place. It says you want to change the subject.
24“I’d prefer to not go into that right now if you don’t mind.”
This is a straightforward response and there’s no mistaking your feelings here.
Photo by Antonio Guillem on shutterstock
25“This is a touchy subject. Let’s talk about something else.”
Use this example of what to say when someone asks if you’re single when you want to say you’re dealing with a lot of emotions regarding your relationship status and you’re not ready to talk about it.
Conclusion
Being single isn’t the end of the world, and in time (if you want to), you’ll find the right person for you. Until then, expect to be asked about it at least once a year.
When this moment comes, you already know what to say when someone asks if you’re single. All that’s left to do is work on yourself and find inner happiness.
