personal / in person
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personal
Concerning a specific person; not general or public. Often in the sense of private or individual.
Das sind persönliche Dokumente, die niemanden etwas angehen.
These are personal documents that are nobody else's business.
in person
Done by a person themselves, without representation or mediation. Refers to physical presence.
Ich möchte mit Ihnen persönlich über diese Angelegenheit sprechen.
I would like to speak with you in person about this matter.
personal
Insulting or hurtful by attacking a person's character or private life instead of staying objective.
Die Diskussion wurde unsachlich, als er anfing, persönlich zu werden.
The discussion became unobjective when he started getting personal.
The adjective 'persönlich' (personal) derives directly from the noun 'die Person' (person). So it always describes something that has a direct connection to a person.
Bitte geben Sie hier Ihre persönlichen Daten ein.
Please enter your personal data here.
'Persönlich' (personal / in person) can stand as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb describing how an action is carried out. As an adverb, it remains unchanged.
Das ist mein persönlicher Rekord.
That is my personal record.
The expression 'persönlich werden' (to get personal) means to leave an objective discussion and attack someone on an unobjective, often insulting level.
Bleib bitte sachlich und werde nicht persönlich!
Please stay objective and don't get personal!
The expression 'etwas persönlich nehmen' (to take something personally) means to understand a general statement or criticism as a direct attack on oneself and to feel hurt by it.
Das war nur ein Scherz, nimm das doch nicht gleich persönlich.
That was only a joke; don't take it personally right away.
In the meaning 'being present oneself', 'persönlich' (in person) is often combined with verbs of communication or movement. Typical phrases are 'persönlich sprechen' (to speak in person), 'persönlich treffen' (to meet in person), or 'persönlich vorbeikommen' (to come by in person).
Ich würde diese Sache gern persönlich mit Ihnen klären.
I would like to clarify this matter with you in person.
oneself / even
Selbst and persönlich can express that someone acts without a representative. Selbst contrasts the person concerned with other possible actors, while persönlich focuses more on their own presence or direct involvement. Use selbst to contrast the person with a representative, and persönlich when the manner of participation is important.
Die Direktorin übergab den Brief persönlich an die Eltern.
The director personally handed the letter to the parents.
Die Direktorin selbst unterschrieb den Brief an die Eltern.
The director herself signed the letter to the parents.
