Why Being “单身 (Dāns hēn) Single” Is Popular in China

Are you still single? You’re not the only one. In China more and more people are choosing to remain "单身 (dānshēn) single." In fact, the number of single people in China has reached 200 million. So what’s the reason? There are a few, actually:

Do you know about China’s one-child policy? It limited the number of girls that were allowed to be born in China. This law stems from the traditional Chinese culture perspective that boys are considered to be more valuable to the family and to the society, whereas girls are shunned.

When men and women in China are dating, money is definitely an issue. For men in particular it is important for them to take their own income into consideration before choosing a spouse. For women, they are in search of men who are financially stable. When it comes to most families in China, if a man doesn’t have a car, a house, and a stable job, he would not be eligible, or "单身 (dānshēn) single" women would not be encouraged to marry this man. But this economic expectation stands in stark contrast to the fact that it is difficult for young people in China to buy these things. Often they rely on their parents to support them.

More and more women in China are becoming highly-educated, attending University and graduating with master’s and post-doctorate degrees. These women are trying to find a spouse who has an...Read More

This catchy children’s song was written by Zhao Yingjun--and it is now a hit. It has become a very popular children’s song since it was sung by a lovely father(Jia Nai Liang) and daughter(Jia Yunxin), and is now often sung and loved by many children across China. The upbeat rhythm and cheerful lyrics make people unconsciously tap their feet and follow along to the singing. It’s a great song for Chinese Beginner language learners, or kids who are learning to speak Mandarin. Trust me, once you hear it, you will be singing along right away! Click the photo below to watch the video:

Dàwáng jiào wǒ lái xúnshān
大王 叫 我 来 巡 山
The King asked me to patrol the mountains

Lyrics:
Tàiyáng duì wǒ zhǎ yǎnjīng,
太阳 对 我 眨 眼睛，
The sun blinks at me.

Niǎo’r chànggē gěi wǒ tīng.
鸟儿 唱歌 给 我 听。
Birds sing for me.

Wǒ shì yígè nǔlì gànhuó’r, hái bù niánrén de xiǎo yāojing.
我 是 一个 努力 干活儿，还 不 粘人 的 小 妖精。
I am a little goblin who is hard-working and does not bother.

Bié wèn wǒ cóng nǎlǐ lái,
别 问 我 从 哪里 来，
Do not ask where I come from,

Yě bié wèn wǒ dào nǎlǐ qù.
也 别 问 我 到 哪里 去。
And do not ask me where to go.

Wǒ yào zhāixià zuìměi de huā’r,
我 要 摘下 最美 的 花儿，
I want to pick the most beautiful flowers,

Xiàn gěi wǒ de xiǎo gōngzhǔ.
献 给 我 的 小 公主。
give them to my little princess.

Learn More About Chinese Songs:
Chinese Song for Kids: 劳动最光荣 Be Proud of Working Hard
Kids' Chinese Song: 七色光之歌 The Song of the Sunlight