個人

• Reading: こじん
• Romaji: kojin
• Kanji breakdown: 個 (ko) — individual, piece; 人 (jin) — person, people
• Pronunciation: /ko.dʑiɴ/

Meaning

Individual; private person. A single person as distinct from a group or organization.

A noun used to distinguish a single person from groups, companies, or institutions. Common in legal, business, and privacy contexts. Often used as a modifier: 個人情報 (personal information), 個人的 (personal, individual), 個人差 (individual differences).

Examples

1. 個人情報の取り扱いには注意が必要です。 Careful handling of personal information is necessary.
2. これは個人的な意見ですが、賛成できません。 This is my personal opinion, but I can't agree.
3. 個人で申し込む場合は、こちらのフォームを使ってください。 If you're applying as an individual, please use this form.

Usage Guide

Context: business, privacy, legal

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 個 (individual, counter for items) and 人 (person). Literally 'individual person,' emphasizing a single person as a distinct entity.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal