How to Say “I am an only child” in Chinese
Relationships and family · HSK 3
"I am an only child" in Chinese is 我是独生子 (Wǒ shì dú shēng zǐ). 独生子 (dú shēng zǐ) literally means 'only-born son'; for a daughter use 独生女 (dú shēng nǚ). The gender-neutral 独生子女 is the official term you'll see in government documents and news.
Primary translation
我是独生子
Wǒ shì dú shēng zǐ
Traditional: 我是獨生子
Variants by register
Formal
我是独生子女
Wǒ shì dú shēng zǐ nǚ
Casual
我是独生子
Wǒ shì dú shēng zǐ
When to use it
独生子 (dú shēng zǐ) literally means 'only-born son'; for a daughter use 独生女 (dú shēng nǚ). The gender-neutral 独生子女 is the official term you'll see in government documents and news. Because of the one-child policy (1980–2015), almost everyone born in Mainland cities during that era is an 独生子女, so saying this to someone your age is completely unremarkable. If your parents had a second child after the policy relaxed, you can say 我有一个弟弟/妹妹 instead.
Example sentences
我是独生女，没有兄弟姐妹。
Wǒ shì dú shēng nǚ, méi yǒu xiōng dì jiě mèi.
I'm an only daughter; I have no siblings.
他是独生子，父母很宠他。
Tā shì dú shēng zǐ, fù mǔ hěn chǒng tā.
He's an only child; his parents spoil him.
你是独生子女吗？
Nǐ shì dú shēng zǐ nǚ ma?
Are you an only child?