die Person, -en
person
Ein Mensch, der lebt, denkt und fühlt.
Definition & meaning
Person means person, individual, or human being: a single human considered as an individual.
It can also refer to:
- An individual in a particular role or context:
eine wichtige Person — an important person - A character or individual in a story, film, or play:
die Hauptperson — the main character - A grammatical person:
die erste Person — the first person
die zweite Person — the second person
die dritte Person — the third person
Depending on context, Person can sound neutral, formal, or impersonal. In everyday speech, Mensch is often more natural when simply referring to a human being.
Grammar & Word origin
- Gender: feminine
- Article: die Person
- Plural: die Personen
- Genitive singular: der Person
- Dative singular: der Person
- Accusative singular: die Person
Examples:
- Die Person wartet draußen. — The person is waiting outside.
- Ich kenne diese Person. — I know this person.
The word comes from Latin persona, originally meaning a theatrical mask or a role, and later a person or individual. It entered German through Latin and French influence.
The main word part is the root Person-. It appears in compounds such as Privatperson — private individual, and Ansprechperson — contact person.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- Mensch — human being or person; more common and often warmer or more personal in everyday language.
- Individuum — individual; formal and sometimes emphasizing a person as a separate unit.
- Persönlichkeit — personality or notable person; often emphasizes character, qualities, or public importance.
- jemand — someone; an indefinite pronoun rather than a direct noun synonym.
- Gestalt — figure or person; literary, descriptive, or sometimes slightly impersonal.
Antonyms
There is no exact general antonym for Person. In legal, administrative, or philosophical contexts, a person may be contrasted with:
- Sache — thing or matter; contrasts with a person as a legal subject.
- Gegenstand — object or item; emphasizes something non-human.
- Tier — animal; contrasts with a person when “person” is used specifically for a human being.
Common phrases & collocations
- eine Person sein — to be a person
- eine fremde Person — a stranger or unfamiliar person
- eine wichtige Person — an important person
- eine bekannte Person — a well-known person
- eine vermisste Person — a missing person
- pro Person — per person
- persönliche Daten — personal data
- erste, zweite, dritte Person — first, second, and third person
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Examples
Ich kenne diese Person nicht.noun
I don't know this person.
Eine Person wartet dort drüben.noun
A person is waiting over there.
Die Person geht spazieren.noun
The person goes for a walk.
Eine Person steht an der Bushaltestelle.noun
A person is standing at the bus stop.
Die Person liest ein Buch.noun
The person is reading a book.
Zwei Personen sitzen im Café.noun
Two persons are sitting in the café.
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