How to say "solo" in Japanese

• ソロJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveThe loanword, matching 'solo' directly: a solo performance or piece, such as a musical solo, or an activity done alone. It covers both the performance sense and the general sense of doing something alone.
  彼かれがソロを歌うたうとき、音程おんていが外はずれるんじゃないかって、手てに汗あせ握にぎっちゃうよね。↗

  When he gets up on stage to sing one of his out-of-tune solos, I get so nervous for him that I get sweaty palms.
• 単独たんどくJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveCovers 'solo' in the sense of 'single, sole, done by one person alone': an action, person, or undertaking that stands without partners or companions, something carried out single-handed.
  不幸ふこうは決けっして単独たんどくでは来こない。↗

  Misfortunes seldom come singly.
• 独演どくえんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA solo performance: a show or recital given by a single performer. Choose it when 'solo' refers to the performance itself rather than to doing something alone in general.

「ソロ」 is the general loanword for a solo performance or doing something alone; 単独 covers 'solo' meaning single, sole, or done by one person; 独演 names a performance given by a single performer.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ソロsolo
• 単独たんどくsole
• 独演どくえんsolo
• 独奏曲どくそうきょくsolo (musical work)
• たった一つたったひとつsingle
• 独奏どくそう(instrumental) solo