光棍节
Guānggùnjié
Singles' day · trad. 光棍節
光棍节 (Guānggùnjié) is Singles' Day, celebrated on November 11th. The date 11.11 is chosen because the four '1's resemble 'bare sticks' (光棍), a slang term for single men. What began as a lighthearted observance among university students has become the world's largest online shopping festival.
What does 光棍节 (Guānggùnjié) mean?
光棍节 (Guānggùnjié) means “singles' day” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “bare stick festival.”
When to use it
Informal, but widely understood due to its popularity as a shopping holiday. When referring to the shopping event, 双十一 (Shuāng Shíyī) is a very common alternative.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “GWAHNG-GOON-JYEH.” The first syllable is high and flat, the second is a sharp falling tone, and the third is a rising tone.
Other ways to say it
- 双十一Shuāng ShíyīDouble Eleven (referring to the shopping festival)
- 光棍guānggùnsingle person (slang, literally 'bare stick')
- 脱单tuōdānto stop being single; to find a partner
Examples
光棍节快到了，你准备好购物了吗？
guānggùnjié kuài dào le, nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo gòuwù le ma?
Singles' Day is coming, are you ready to shop?
每年光棍节，电商都会有大促销。
měinián guānggùnjié, diànshāng dōu huì yǒu dà cùxiāo.
Every Singles' Day, e-commerce platforms have big sales.
光棍节不只是购物，也是单身人士的节日。
guānggùnjié bù zhǐshì gòuwù, yě shì dānshēn rénshì de jiérì.
Singles' Day is not just for shopping, it's also a holiday for single people.
Pro tip: The date 11.11 is key: the four '1's visually resemble 'bare sticks' (光棍), which is slang for single people, especially single men.
Related phrases
光棍节快乐 · Happy singles' day双十一 · Double eleven网购 · Online shopping
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