Word Detail

The Japanese word 個人 （こじん - *kojin*) primarily means "individual," "private," or "personal." It refers to a single person as distinct from a group, organization, or society. It can also imply something relating to a single person’s affairs or privacy. The 個人 aspect emphasizes the separateness and uniqueness of a person.

⚫︎ 個人の意見 Translation: Personal opinion ⚫︎ 個人情報 Translation: Personal information ⚫︎ 個人の自由 Translation: Individual freedom

個人 is used in a variety of contexts, both formal and informal, whenever you're referring to someone as an individual or something pertaining to them. You might use it when discussing personal opinions, private matters, or distinguishing between a single person and a larger group.

⚫︎ The word 個人 is typically written with the kanji 個人. ⚫︎ The reading is こじん （*kojin*） in hiragana. ⚫︎ There are no other common ways to write this word. ⚫︎ The okurigana is standard and doesn't have variations.

⚫︎ 個人 has a broad meaning, so its synonyms depend on the context. ⚫︎ Some related words include: ⚫︎ 一人 (*hitori*) - one person ⚫︎ 個人 (*kojin*) - a single person (formal) ⚫︎ 私 (*watashi*) - I, me (used to refer to oneself) ⚫︎ プライベート (*puraibēto*) - private (borrowed from English)

⚫︎ The antonyms depend on the context. Some examples: ⚫︎ 全体 (*zentai*) - the whole, the entirety ⚫︎ 公的 (*kōteki*) - public ⚫︎ 集団 (*shūdan*) - group ⚫︎ 組織 (*soshiki*) - organization

この情報は個人の秘密です。 ・Translation: This information is a personal secret. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 個人 to emphasize the privacy of the information.

個人の責任において行動してください。 ・Translation: Please act on your own responsibility. ・Explanation: This sentence stresses that the action is the responsibility of an individual, not a group.

The word 個人 is composed of two kanji: 個 (*ko*), meaning "individual" or "item," and 人 (*jin* or *nin*), meaning "person." The combination of these kanji clearly signifies an individual person.