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individual / customized
Tailored to the particular needs, wishes, or characteristics of a single person or thing; personal and unique.
Der Schreiner fertigt individuelle Möbelstücke nach Kundenwunsch an.
The carpenter makes customized pieces of furniture according to the customer's wishes.
'Individual' (individual) belongs to a word family centered around the single person. Related words are 'das Individuum' (the individual person) and 'die Individualität' (a person's uniqueness).
Jedes Individuum hat das Recht auf eine eigene Meinung.
Every individual has the right to their own opinion.
In German, 'individual' (individual) is only an adjective. Unlike in English, it cannot be used as a noun for a person. The German noun for that is 'das Individuum' (the individual) or simply 'die Person' (the person).
Jeder Kunde erhält eine individuelle Beratung.
Every customer receives individual consultation.
You can recognize the meaning from context. If it is about products or services, 'individual' (individual) usually means 'maßgeschneidert' (customized). If it refers to a person or their lifestyle, it means 'originell' (original) or 'eigenständig' (independent).
Wir suchen eine individuelle Lösung für Ihr Problem.
We are looking for a customized solution to your problem.
In the meaning of 'maßgeschneidert' (customized), 'individual' (individual) is often combined with services and products. Common collocations are 'individuelle Beratung' (individual consultation), 'individuelles Angebot' (customized offer), or 'etwas individuell gestalten' (to design something individually/customize something).
Sie können Ihr Auto individuell nach Ihren Wünschen konfigurieren.
You can configure your car individually according to your wishes.
When 'individual' (individual) means 'originell' (original), it often describes personal characteristics. Typical phrases are 'individueller Stil' (individual style), 'individueller Geschmack' (individual taste), or an 'individuelle Note' (individual touch).
Die Wohnung ist mit viel Liebe zum Detail und einer sehr individuellen Note eingerichtet.
The apartment is furnished with great attention to detail and a very individual touch.
personal / in person
'persönlich' and 'individual' can both express that something fits a single person and is not general. 'persönlich' often emphasizes the private connection to a person or one's own opinion. 'individual' more strongly emphasizes that something is specially adapted, distinctive, or special. A 'persönlicher Rat' (personal piece of advice) comes from a person or directly concerns a person. An 'individualer Plan' (individual plan) is tailored to special wishes or needs. The words can be confused because both have to do with a single person. In practical terms: 'persönlich' fits for a private connection, while 'individual' fits for special adaptation or one's own style.
Für den Sprachkurs bekommt jeder Teilnehmer einen individualen Lernplan.
For the language course, each participant gets an individual learning plan.
Morgen spricht die Chefin persönlich mit jedem Mitarbeiter.
Tomorrow the boss will speak personally with each employee.